noun
-
the act or an instance of refusing
-
the opportunity to reject or accept; option
Other Word Forms
- prerefusal noun
Etymology
Origin of refusal
First recorded in 1425–75, refusal is from the late Middle English word refusell. See refuse 1, -al 2
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.
His refusal to address it kept the sides from talking and solidified divisions between North and South.
From Literature
The refusal of crumpets stopped Major Puff mid-march.
From Literature
Last year, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation which means the parole board must take into account a murderer's refusal to reveal what became of their victim's body.
From BBC
“What we’ve seen instead is a consistent pattern of evasion, refusal to take accountability, and outright lies to protect your image.”
From Salon
They can be traced almost entirely back to Banks’ individual refusal to help or protect the young women who thought she would share a few crumbs of her success with them.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
