What does refuse mean?

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen) show unwillingness towards; "he declined to join the group on a hike" refuse to accept; "He refused my offer of hospitality" elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation" refuse to let have; "She denies me every pleasure"; "he denies her her weekly allowance" resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ; "His body rejected the liver of the donor" refuse entrance or membership

How many definitions does refuse have?

Refuse has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

Refuse Definition & Meaning

refuse

noun

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

verb

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

Synonyms for refuse

"Refuse" in song lyrics

See how refuse is used in real songs:

"Where ugly is bred and grown, I refuse"
Aceyalone — Takeoff
"And this rap game I can't refuse"
B.G. f/ Lil' Wayne, Juvenile — I'm Tryin'
"Snap your close up, I'm here to answer or refuse"
Buddha Monk — Snap Your Close Up

Words that rhyme with refuse

See all rhymes for refuse →

Usage tips for "refuse"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "refuse" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for refuse to find words that pair well.

Use "refuse" in a verse

Now that you know what "refuse" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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Frequently asked questions

What does refuse mean?: food that is discarded (as from a kitchen) show unwillingness towards; "he declined to join the group on a hike" refuse to accept; "He refused my offer of hospitality" elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation" refuse to let have; "She denies me every pleasure"; "he denies her her weekly allowance" resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ; "His body rejected the liver of the donor" refuse entrance or membership
What part of speech is refuse?: Refuse is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does refuse have?: Refuse has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).