refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl 
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking before others
Examples of refusal in a Sentence
My request for more money was met with a flat refusal.
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
Recent Examples on the Web
But Han himself was impeached just two weeks later over his refusal to fill a vacant seat in one of the country’s top courts and was only reinstated to the role in late March.
—
Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
With his occasionally brusque manner, his maniacal secrecy about team selection and his refusal to explain his tactical decisions, Luis Enrique put a few noses out of joint in the French media.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
King’s relentless advocacy and refusal to accept the status quo made the U.S. Open the first major tournament to offer equal prize money in 1973.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The scale of Trump’s tariffs and administration’s refusal to back down stunned the stock market, which expected the president to propose a smaller package aimed at spurring trade talks.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
With his occasionally brusque manner, his maniacal secrecy about team selection and his refusal to explain his tactical decisions, Luis Enrique put a few noses out of joint in the French media.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
King’s relentless advocacy and refusal to accept the status quo made the U.S. Open the first major tournament to offer equal prize money in 1973.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The scale of Trump’s tariffs and administration’s refusal to back down stunned the stock market, which expected the president to propose a smaller package aimed at spurring trade talks.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking (as a purchase) before others
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