Definitions

refusal

[ri-fyoo-zuhl] / rɪˈfju zəl /

NOUN

denial of responsibility; unwillingness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ban defiance exclusion noncompliance rejection reversal veto

STRONG

abnegation choice declension declination disapproval disavowal disclaimer disfavor dissent enjoinment forbidding interdiction negation nix no nonacceptance option pass prohibition proscription rebuff refutation regrets renouncement renunciation repudiation repulse repulsion turndown withholding writ

WEAK

cold shoulder disallowance discountenancing knockback nonconsent thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acceptance allowance approval permission ratification sanction

STRONG

agreement attraction confirmation endorsement

WEAK

OK grant offer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both sides' refusal to apply pressure when the opposition attempted to tease them out is best illustrated by a statistic that looks to quantify how intensely a team presses.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

The justice dissented from the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear U.S. v.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2026

Likewise, her husband’s refusal to share custody was widely exaggerated into a story that he had abandoned his children entirely—claims Burden didn’t even make herself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

The FIF gave no reason for his visa refusal.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

Isabel sets the food down despite my refusal.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Vocabulary lists containing refusal

"The First Day of School," Vocabulary from the short story

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poems about parents

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