refuse
gb/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/ us/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Say no to something
To say you will not take or do something.
Usage pattern:
to refuse [something] / to refuse to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'refuse' with 'reject'. 'Refuse' is often used for actions or offers, while 'reject' is often for ideas, proposals, or objects.
Synonyms
decline (Slightly more formal and often used in polite refusals.)
|
reject (Stronger and more definite than 'refuse', sometimes more emotional.)
Antonyms
accept (To agree to take or do something offered.)
|
agree (To say yes to a request or proposal.)
Collocations
refuse an offer
|refuse help
|refuse entry
|refuse permission
|refuse to comment
Themes
daily life
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She refused to answer the reporter’s questions.
- They refused our invitation to dinner.
- The company refused his request for a refund.
- He refused to believe the rumors.
- Security refused entry to anyone without ID.
Learner examples
- I refused the food because I was not hungry.
- She refused to go to the party.
- He refused my help.
- They refused to open the door.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Waste material or rubbish
Things you throw away because you do not want them.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun with the verb 'refuse'. The pronunciation differs: noun stress is on the first syllable ('REF-use'), verb on the second ('re-FUSE').
Synonyms
rubbish (Common in British English; same basic meaning.)
|
garbage (Common in American English; usually household waste.)
Antonyms
resources (Items considered valuable or useful rather than waste.)
Collocations
household refuse
|industrial refuse
|refuse collection
|refuse disposal
Themes
environment
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bins were overflowing with household refuse.
- Refuse from the factory was polluting the river.
- The city has strict rules about disposing of refuse.
- Volunteers cleaned up refuse left on the beach.
Learner examples
- The street was full of refuse after the festival.
- We put the refuse in the bin.
- The truck takes away the refuse every week.
Grammar
Dictionary form
refuse
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
US/ɹˈɛfjˌuz/
Syllables & stress
re - fuse (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: refuse
- Plural: refuse
Verb
- Base: refuse
- 3rd Person Singular: refuses
- Present Participle: refusing
- Past: refused
Word family
Forms
refuses
verb
refusing
verb
refused
verb
Core family
refusal
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
accept
verb A2
acceptance
noun B1
Expressions
refuse point-blank
1/ɹˈɛfjˌuz pˈɔɪnt blˈæŋk/
fixed phrase
Reject directly and firmly
To say no in a very direct and firm way.
Examples
- He refused point-blank when asked to apologize.
- They refused point-blank to discuss the matter.
refuse to budge
1/ɹɪfjˈuz tə bˈʌd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Not change position or opinion
To not move or change your mind about something.
Examples
- Despite the criticism, she refused to budge on her decision.
- The old door refused to budge no matter how hard we pushed.