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
But Committee Chair James Comer criticized O'Conner over his refusal to answer questions saying there had been a conspiracy to cover up Biden's cognitive decline.
—
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Also on Wednesday, the Trump administration sued the state over its refusal to ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ athletic programs.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Comer tore into O’Conner over his refusal to answer questions.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 July 2025
Her inner conflict, though, is all the more compelling in the face of her boyfriend’s refusal to second-guess himself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Also on Wednesday, the Trump administration sued the state over its refusal to ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ athletic programs.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Comer tore into O’Conner over his refusal to answer questions.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 July 2025
Her inner conflict, though, is all the more compelling in the face of her boyfriend’s refusal to second-guess himself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 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 21 Jul. 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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