refuses
word · lemma: refuse
/ɹəfˈjuzəz/
ri-FYOO-ziz
/ɹɪfjˈuːzɪz/
ri-FYOO-ziz
Definition
To say you will not do something, accept something, or allow something.
Usage & Nuances
More formal than 'won't' or 'doesn't want to.' Common in both spoken and written English. Collocates with objects ('refuses help'), or verbs with 'to' ('refuses to go'). Do not use 'refuses' with gerunds.
Spanish: rechazar - negarse aPortuguese (BR): recusar - rejeitar - se recusa aPortuguese (PT): recusar - rejeitar - recusa-se aChinese (Simplified): 拒绝Chinese (Traditional): 拒絕Hindi: इंकार करता है - मना करता हैArabic: يرفضBengali: অস্বীকার করে - প্রত্যাখ্যান করেRussian: отказываетсяJapanese: 拒む - 拒否するVietnamese: từ chốiKorean: 거절한다Turkish: reddederUrdu: انکار کرتا ہے - انکار کرتی ہےIndonesian: menolak
Example Sentences
She just refuses to admit she’s wrong, no matter what.
natural
He politely refuses invitations if he’s busy.
natural
Tom always refuses help from others.
basic
He refuses to answer the question.
basic
My dog refuses to go outside when it’s raining.
natural
She refuses to eat vegetables.
basic