english
1
general::
verb
decline:
I refuse to help them.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
refuse
to say firmly that you will not do something that someone has asked you to do:
• I asked the bank for a loan, but they refused. • When they refused to leave, we had to call the police.
say no
spoken to say that you will not do something when someone asks you:
• They asked me so nicely that I couldn’t really say no.
turn somebody/something down
to refuse to accept an offer or invitation, or a formal request:
• They offered me the job but I turned it down. • The board turned down a request for $25,000 to sponsor an art exhibition. • I’ve already been turned down by three colleges.
reject
to refuse to accept an idea, offer, suggestion, or plan:
• They rejected the idea because it would cost too much money. • The Senate rejected a proposal to limit the program to two years.
decline
formal to politely refuse to accept an offer or invitation, or refuse to do something:
• She has declined all offers of help. • A palace spokesman declined to comment on the rumours.
deny
to refuse to allow someone to do something or enter somewhere:
• They were denied permission to publish the book. • He was denied access to the US.
veto
to officially refuse to allow a law or plan, or to refuse to accept someone’s suggestion:
• Congress vetoed the bill. • The suggestion was quickly vetoed by the other members of the team.
disallow
to officially refuse to accept something because someone has broken the rules, or not done it in the correct way:
• The goal was disallowed by the referee. • The court decided to disallow his evidence.
rebuff
formal to refuse to accept someone’s offer, request, or suggestion:
• The company raised its offer to $6 billion, but was rebuffed. • He was politely rebuffed when he suggested holding the show in Dublin.
give somebody/something the thumbs down
informal to refuse to allow or accept a plan or suggestion:
• The plan was given the thumbs down by the local authority. • They gave us the thumbs down.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
refuse
adverbs
stubbornly refuse
• He stubbornly refused to pay the fine.
adamantly refuse
formal (= in a determined way )
• They are still adamantly refusing to release the data to the general public.
steadfastly refuse
(= refuse, and continue to refuse )
• She steadfastly refused to marry him.
consistently refuse
• Politicians have consistently refused to listen to us.
flatly refuse
(= in a firm and definite way )
• He flatly refused to tell me anything.
simply refuse
(= used for emphasis )
• Some children simply refuse to do what they’re told.
refuse point-blank
(= directly and without explanation )
• I refused point-blank to let him in.
phrases
somebody can hardly refuse
(= it would be unreasonable or very difficult to refuse )
• Going out was the last thing I wanted to do, but I could hardly refuse.
transnet.ir
4
general::
verb ADV. adamantly, obstinately, resolutely, steadfastly, stoutly, stubbornly | categorically, flatly, point-blank, simply Gerard refused point-blank to co-operate. | pointedly The demand for an apology was pointedly refused. | politely | consistently VERB + REFUSE can't/couldn't, can/could hardly They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. | be entitled to, have the right to Workers should be entitled to refuse to work under these conditions. | be/seem churlish to She offered them cups of tea and it seemed churlish to refuse., noun ADJ. domestic, household | uncollected QUANT. heap, mound, pile VERB + REFUSE dump People dump their refuse in the surrounding woods instead of taking it to the tip. | collect What day do they collect the refuse? | recycle REFUSE + NOUN collection, disposal | bin | dump
Oxford Collocations Dictionary