easy
He refused to copy someone else's work.
What does Refuse mean?
To say no.
Dictionary definition
To say no to something because you do not accept, allow, or agree with it.
Example sentences
Refuse in a sentence
medium
She refused the offer politely.
hard
Good judgment may mean refusing harmful choices.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice refuse in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Refuse
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does refuse mean?
The correct answer matches the meaning of refuse.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to refuse?
Decline is close to refuse in this main meaning.
Practice 3
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: She may politely ____ an offer she cannot accept.
Refuse best completes the sentence.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Refuse
Voice settings
Sounds like
ri · fyooz · strongest beat: fyooz
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordRefuse.
Partverb.
MeaningRefuse means To say no.
ExampleExample: He refused to copy someone else's work.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ri · fyooz
- Strongest beat
- fyooz
- Ending
- fyooz
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on fyooz.
Your turn
Say Refuse
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Nice work—you practiced refuse.
Synonyms
Words like Refuse
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice refuse synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The club chose to deny the request for a louder song," then compare close word choices. Practice refuse synonyms.
Word family
Refuse word family
Base word
refuse
verb
refuses
Present-tense form of refuse.
verb
refused
Past-tense form of refuse.
verb
refusing
-ing form of refuse.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Refuse
Hint for students
Refuse means to say no or not accept something. It can also be a noun meaning trash, but the verb meaning is common in student reading.
Common mix-up
Refuse is not the same as reject in every sentence. Refuse often focuses on saying no to an offer, request, or action; reject can also mean decide something is not good enough.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows refuse without using the word refuse. Model sentence: Mia shook her head and would not take the extra candy. Clue words: shook her head, would not take Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show someone saying no or not accepting something?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "Sam refused to cheat, even when his friend asked him." Why does refuse fit better than agree?
Learning activities
Practice Refuse and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice REFUSE” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
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Sentence Builder
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