1
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reject
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she refused the award, citing the hard work of others who deserved the recognition more than she did
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discarded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of refuse
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
In related news, the mayor of San José proposed jailing homeless people who repeatedly refuse shelter.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Francis Kokutse, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The new container rules aim to eliminate the piles of refuse that provide sustenance for up to three million New York rats each year.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Verb
The law would have helped to set a stricter precedent to keep trans athletes out of women's and girls' sports across the country, as many states have so far refused to comply with Trump's executive order to address the issue.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
In related news, the mayor of San José proposed jailing homeless people who repeatedly refuse shelter.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
In 2018, Rwanda raised tariffs on such imports in defiance of U.S. pressure, citing concerns the West’s refuse undermined efforts to strengthen the domestic textile industry.
—Francis Kokutse, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The new container rules aim to eliminate the piles of refuse that provide sustenance for up to three million New York rats each year.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
-
In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.—
James L. Edwards III,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Hochman announced last month that he's asked the court to deny the habeas corpus petition, arguing the new evidence isn't credible or admissible.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This idea of spreading the games out as widely as possible was rejected by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on Real Madrid TV after Saturday’s win at Villarreal.—
Dermot Corrigan,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The Florida Supreme Court and a federal appeals court each rejected appeals to delay James' execution.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Lira, remembering the garbage, quickly takes out the trash.—
Cindy Carcamo,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Leave the garbage can open and place it in the sun to fully dry before closing it or putting a garbage bag in it.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Columbia officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Representatives for Boeing declined to comment on the matter.—
Rebecca Falconer,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Issues with citations and publisher control The CJR researchers also uncovered evidence suggesting some AI tools ignored Robot Exclusion Protocol settings, which publishers use to prevent unauthorized access.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Mar. 2025
-
So many of us are conditioned since childhood to believe that prioritizing ourselves is selfish, which compels us to ignore our inner voice.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The building, a five-story apartment complex located in the southern Italian city of Bari, collapsed on Wednesday, March 5 — trapping a woman, 74, beneath the debris, Wanted in Rome — an English magazine for expats in Italy — reports, citing Italian outlet ANSA.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Within seconds the tornado struck, with debris crashing on to the studio's roof.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The El Gigante rock shelter itself is more than 120 feet wide and 55 feet deep, and contains trash piles left by its former residents that span the last 11,000 years.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
In the footage, the individual pulls up to the secluded dumpster in their car and quickly dumps the cat on top of the overflowing trash receptacle.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This anti-waste brand upcycles materials, and was founded by Kisa Sky Shiga.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2022
-
Fanning out like urban guerrillas through Paris’ darkened streets well after midnight, the anti-waste activists shinny up walls and drain pipes, reaching for switches to turn off the lights. Click.—
The Christian Science Monitor,
The Christian Science Monitor,
3 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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