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
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said California’s refusal to enforce federal English language requirements for CDL holders contributed to the administration’s action.
—
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Merlino came out on top after a hitman allegedly hired by Stanfa, spurned by Stanfa's refusal to pay him, became an informant for the FBI, per CBS News.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Quite often Netflix and AMC could never come to terms about windows nor terms (exhibit A being AMC’s refusal to book Martin Scorsese’s 3 hour and 29 minute Netflix mob movie, The Irishman.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Two cases about the passport refusals eventually made their way to the Supreme Court.
—Time, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Merlino came out on top after a hitman allegedly hired by Stanfa, spurned by Stanfa's refusal to pay him, became an informant for the FBI, per CBS News.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Quite often Netflix and AMC could never come to terms about windows nor terms (exhibit A being AMC’s refusal to book Martin Scorsese’s 3 hour and 29 minute Netflix mob movie, The Irishman.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Two cases about the passport refusals eventually made their way to the Supreme Court.
—Time, 20 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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