refuse

To refuse is to decline, deny, reject, or resist. If a stranger offers you candy, you should politely refuse.

As a noun, refuse (pronounced REF-yooss) is food waste, scraps, or garbage. As a verb, refuse (pronounced ree-FYOOZ) means to reject. If you’re mad at me, you’ll probably refuse my invitation to hang out. If your fashion sense isn't up to date, the bouncer at an exclusive nightclub might refuse entry to you. If you’re sick and you need a kidney transplant, your doctor will give you drugs to stop your body from refusing the donor kidney.

Primary Meanings of refuse

1.	v	show unwillingness towards
2.	n	food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
3.	v	elude, especially in a baffling way
4.	v	resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ

Full Definitions of refuse

v show unwillingness towards

Synonyms:: decline

Antonyms:: accept, consent, go for
give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

Types:: show 9 types...; hide 9 types...; disdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, spurn, turn down
reject with contempt; contract out
refuse to pay a levy to a union for political use; regret
decline formally or politely; repudiate
refuse to recognize or pay; disobey
refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient; rebuff, repel, snub
reject outright and bluntly; sit in
participate in an act of civil disobedience; counteract, countermine, sabotage, subvert, undermine, weaken
destroy property or hinder normal operations; balk, baulk, jib, resist
refuse to comply

Type of:: react, respond
show a response or a reaction to something

v refuse to accept

“He refused my offer of hospitality”

Synonyms:: decline, pass up, reject, turn down

: disdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, spurn, turn down
reject with contempt

Antonyms:: accept, have, take
receive willingly something given or offered; have, receive
get something; come into possession of; show more antonyms...

Types:: dishonor, dishonour
refuse to accept; bounce
refuse to accept and send back

v refuse entrance or membership

Synonyms:: reject, turn away, turn down

: disdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, spurn, turn down
reject with contempt

Antonyms:: admit, allow in, intromit, let in
allow to enter; grant entry to; admit
serve as a means of entrance; show more antonyms...

v refuse to let have

Synonyms:: deny

: abnegate, deny
deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure

Antonyms:: allow, grant
let have; allow, countenance, let, permit
consent to, give permission; show more antonyms...

Types:: show 7 types...; hide 7 types...; keep back, withhold
hold back; refuse to hand over or share; block, freeze, immobilise, immobilize
prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); keep to oneself
withhold information; deny
refuse to grant, as of a petition or request; reserve
hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency; immobilise, immobilize
hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital; deprive
keep from having, keeping, or obtaining

Type of:: hold on, keep
retain possession of

n food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

Synonyms:: food waste, garbage, scraps

Type of:: waste, waste material, waste matter, waste product
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

v elude, especially in a baffling way

Synonyms:: defy, resist

Antonyms:: apply, lend oneself
be applicable to; as to an analysis; apply, go for, hold
be pertinent or relevant or applicable; show more antonyms...

Types:: beggar
be beyond the resources of

Type of:: elude, escape
be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by

v resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ

Synonyms:: reject, resist

Type of:: react, respond
show a response or a reaction to something