Definition of 'refusal'

Word Frequency

refusal

(rɪfjuːzəl )

Word forms: plural refusals

1. variable noun

Someone's refusal to do something is the fact of them showing or saying that they will not do it, allow it, or accept it.

...her refusal to accept change.

His letter in response to her request had contained a firm refusal.

...the Council's refusal of planning permission for a major shopping centre.

We would appreciate confirmation of your refusal of our invitation to take part.

Synonyms: rejection, denial, defiance, rebuff More Synonyms of refusal

first refusal

Video: pronunciation of 'refusal'

Word Frequency

refusal in British

(rɪˈfjuːzəl )

noun

the act or an instance of refusing

the opportunity to reject or accept; option

Word Frequency

refusal in American

(rɪˈfjuzəl ; rifyo̅oˈzəl)

noun

the act of refusing

the right or chance to accept or refuse something before it is offered to another; option

Example sentences containing 'refusal'

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Getting a refusal gives you a right of appeal and issues to address. Times, Sunday Times (2016)And it was their resilience and refusal to give an inch that won the day. Times, Sunday Times (2016)At one point, the family sold the mill and dam only to buy it back under a right of first refusal. Smithsonian Mag (2017)You can become your own worst enemy with that stubborn refusal to accept the inevitable. The Sun (2011)All such requests must be considered by the employer and a reason given for any refusal. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Please do not redeem this voucher against any other product as refusal to accept may cause embarrassment. The Sun (2013) Initial refusal of a claim can lead to a lengthy and expensive review and appeal process. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Which means her only connection with the countryside is her refusal to take part in it. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Her determination and refusal to take no for an answer is admirable. The Sun (2015)Would he have given them first refusal? Times, Sunday Times (2010)We wonder if they also regret their stubborn refusal to compromise. The Sun (2016)Please do not attempt to exchange this coupon for another product as refusal may cause embarrassment. The Sun (2014)Do not attempt to exchange this voucher for another product as refusal to accept may cause embarrassment. The Sun (2013)Whether the property qualifies for the right of first refusal can sometimes be quite tricky to work out. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The thing that could easily be changed is the stubborn refusal to let technology play a part for referees. Times, Sunday Times (2010)His deportation was put on hold as he launched a judicial review against the refusal of his initial asylum claim. Times, Sunday Times (2010)And that's why so many songwriters like to give her first refusal on their songs. Times, Sunday Times (2010)It's all part of the refusal to face reality. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The issue you face here seems totally behavioural: a stubborn refusal. Times, Sunday Times (2010)I would write to the insurer again asking it to reconsider its initial refusal. The Sun (2015)It's about hard work and guts and determination and a refusal to give up when things look bad. The Sun (2012)Although we may want these things, the simple act of refusal gives us a tiny morsel of subjectivity. Times, Sunday Times (2006)But yesterday was a day when he no doubt found himself cursing his former team's refusal to give in. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Should his move not work out, Saints do not have first refusal if he wants to move back to rugby league. The Sun (2011)Companies that trampled over shareholders' right of first refusal over new stock would do so at their peril, they muttered darkly. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They have been rewarded by a flat refusal on the part of the US and Europe to honour the deals. George Monbiot THE AGE OF CONSENT (2003)

Trends of 'refusal'

Very Common. refusal is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'refusal'

British English: refusal /rɪˈfjuːzl/ NOUN

A refusal is the fact of firmly saying or showing that you will not do, allow, or accept something.

...his stubborn refusal to agree to any settlement.

American English: refusal
Arabic: رَفْض
Brazilian Portuguese: recusa
Chinese: 拒绝
Croatian: odbijanje
Czech: odmítnutí
Danish: afslag
Dutch: weigering
European Spanish: negativa
Finnish: kieltäytyminen
French: refus
German: Ablehnung
Greek: άρνηση
Italian: rifiuto negazione
Japanese: 拒否
Korean: 거절
Norwegian: avslag
Polish: odmowa
European Portuguese: recusa
Romanian: refuz
Russian: отказ
Spanish: negativa negación
Swedish: vägran
Thai: การปฏิเสธ
Turkish: ret
Ukrainian: відмова
Vietnamese: sự từ chối

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Nearby words of 'refusal'

Related Terms of 'refusal'

first refusal

Source

Definition of refusal from the Collins English Dictionary

The past simple tense

Typical forms of this tense are as in: I met her. She met him. I went there. She went there. Because the past simple consists of one word only, the past simple tense of do, which is did,...