Word Explorer
Children's
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Elementary Dictionary
       

re·fuse1

refuse1

 
 
pronunciation:
rih fyuz
part of speech: verb
inflections: refuses, refusing, refused
definition 1: When you refuse something, you say "no" when someone wants to give it to you.
David refused his brother's help on his math homework. He wanted to finish it by himself.When Caleb refused a second slice of pizza, we were all surprised.
synonyms:
decline, deny, reject
antonyms:
accept, grant, provide
similar words:
disapprove, resist, scorn, veto
definition 2: If you refuse to do something, you say "no" to it or show that you will not do it. If your dog refuses to go outside when it is raining, then he shows that he will not go out.
Mike told Tracy to move to another seat, but she refused to move. She stayed right in her seat.Many citizens thought the new law was unfair and refused to obey it.Leah asked her little brother if he would share some of his candy with her, but he refused to give her any.
synonyms:
decline
similar words:
deny, object to
derivation: refusable (adj.)