Refused
rɪˈfjuːzd
Definitions
2 meaningsTo decline to do or accept something.
rɪˈfjuːz
To decline to accept or allow something.
She refused the gift.
💡 Simply: Think of when your friend offers you a piece of broccoli, and you *refuse* it. It means you don't want it!
👶 For kids: To say 'no' to something.
More Examples
The bank refused the loan application.
He refused to answer the question.
How It's Used
"The company refused the terms of the contract."
"She refused his offer to help."
To declare one's unwillingness to do something.
rɪˈfjuːz
To state that one will not do or allow something.
He refused to apologize.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're asked to clean your room, and you REFUSE. It means you're definitely not going to do it.
👶 For kids: To tell someone you won't do something.
More Examples
She refused to leave.
The protesters refused to back down.
How It's Used
"The defendant refused to testify."
"They refused to negotiate the terms."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
refuse point-blank
To refuse something or to refuse to do something in a direct and unequivocal way.
"She refused point-blank to help him."
refuse to budge
To be unwilling to change your position or opinion.
"The union refused to budge on its demands for higher wages."
From Old French *refuser*, from Latin *refusare* 'to pour back, reject', from *re-* 'back' + *fundere* 'to pour'.
The word 'refuse' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to the act of rejecting or declining something.
Memory tip
Imagine RE-jecting a FUSE – you REFUSE to let it happen.