refuse
show unwillingness towards
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,846 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 9,804 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.005% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- show unwillingness towards also: decline he declined to join the group on a hike
- refuse to accept also: reject, pass up, turn down, decline He refused my offer of hospitality
- elude, especially in a baffling way also: defy, resist This behavior defies explanation
- refuse to let have also: deny She denies me every pleasurehe denies her her weekly allowance
- resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ also: resist, reject His body rejected the liver of the donor
- refuse entrance or membership also: reject, turn down, turn away They turned away hundreds of fansBlack people were often rejected by country clubs
noun
- food that is discarded (as from a kitchen) also: garbage, food waste, scraps
refuse in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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I couldn't refuse to 'ave a drink with 'im.
Admiral Peters Odd Craft, Part 14. · W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs · Chapter 1
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Bobby hesitated, fighting back his feeling of repulsion, his first instinct to refuse.
The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1
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If you could only read in my soul, you would not refuse me the delay I am asking.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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They grow up for Christ, believe fervently in Him, refuse to sacrifice to false gods, are tortured, and die filled with glory.
The Dream · Émile Zola · Chapter 1