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
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
While no harm was done, the dog's refusal to be moved served as a reminder of how pets often view human comforts as their own.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Eventually, censored animations of Muhammad aired with disclaimers from Comedy Central, but only after Parker and Stone’s refusal to address the issue before broadcast.
—Nick Marx, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Much of the conspiracy theorizing over Balaji’s death has to do with the refusal of his parents to accept the official findings and insistence that he was murdered.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
One of the Democrats’ biggest problems right now is their refusal to take accountability for their poor performance.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Eventually, censored animations of Muhammad aired with disclaimers from Comedy Central, but only after Parker and Stone’s refusal to address the issue before broadcast.
—Nick Marx, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Much of the conspiracy theorizing over Balaji’s death has to do with the refusal of his parents to accept the official findings and insistence that he was murdered.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
One of the Democrats’ biggest problems right now is their refusal to take accountability for their poor performance.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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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