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
Synonyms
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 Hitler’s demands were strategic; the Czech government’s refusal could then be used to justify a German invasion of Czech territory.
—
TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
MacFarlane said, a reference to some Republicans’ refusal to properly pronounce Harris’ first name.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The promise of Arab involvement, which the administration has been actively negotiating for months, is seen as an inducement to Israel to overcome its refusal — at least under the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — to consider a separate Palestinian state.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Critics have called out Flock Safety for its refusal to allow its technology to be subjected to independent third party testing.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
In Israel, some are now asking: Are the two linked?
To his allies, Mr. Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza is a necessary one, made in the national interest and backed by many Israelis.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Advanced economies also took issue with Japan’s refusal to address its trade imbalances in the 1970s and 1980s.
—Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024
The refusal by two major hospitals to treat her emergency condition violated federal law — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, known as EMTALA.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
MacFarlane said, a reference to some Republicans’ refusal to properly pronounce Harris’ first name.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The promise of Arab involvement, which the administration has been actively negotiating for months, is seen as an inducement to Israel to overcome its refusal — at least under the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — to consider a separate Palestinian state.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Critics have called out Flock Safety for its refusal to allow its technology to be subjected to independent third party testing.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock.
—Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024
In Israel, some are now asking: Are the two linked?
To his allies, Mr. Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza is a necessary one, made in the national interest and backed by many Israelis.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Advanced economies also took issue with Japan’s refusal to address its trade imbalances in the 1970s and 1980s.
—Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024
The refusal by two major hospitals to treat her emergency condition violated federal law — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, known as EMTALA.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refusal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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