Refuse meaning

What does “refuse” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“refuse” is a noun and verb with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: food that is discarded (as from a kitchen).

refuse

show unwillingness towards
“he declined to join the group on a hike”
Synonymsdecline
Oppositesaccept
refuse to accept
“He refused my offer of hospitality”
Synonymsreject pass up turn down decline
Oppositesaccept
elude, especially in a baffling way
“This behavior defies explanation”
Synonymsdefy resist
refuse to let have
“She denies me every pleasure”
“he denies her her weekly allowance”
Synonymsdeny
resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ
“His body rejected the liver of the donor”
Synonymsresist reject
refuse entrance or membership
“They turned away hundreds of fans”
“Black people were often rejected by country clubs”
Synonymsreject turn down turn away

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University