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
Synonyms
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
Meanwhile, Biden’s refusal to exit the 2024 presidential race after a disastrous initial debate performance in June kicked off a whirlwind season that gave rise to Harris.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
The system proved incapable of punishing Trump personally for his concerted, multifaceted refusal to accept his defeat and accept a peaceful transfer of power in 2020.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Harris supporters called Trump a threat to democracy for his refusal to concede his 2020 loss to Biden, unfounded election fraud claims and his supporters’ Capitol riot to disrupt Biden’s presidential certification.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
The measures come nearly four years after former President Donald Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results led a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent bid to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refusal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
The system proved incapable of punishing Trump personally for his concerted, multifaceted refusal to accept his defeat and accept a peaceful transfer of power in 2020.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Harris supporters called Trump a threat to democracy for his refusal to concede his 2020 loss to Biden, unfounded election fraud claims and his supporters’ Capitol riot to disrupt Biden’s presidential certification.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
The measures come nearly four years after former President Donald Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results led a mob of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in a violent bid to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refusal
Dictionary Entries Near refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share