/ Dictionary / Index R refuse: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: re•fuse Pronunciation: (ri-fyz'), [key] — v., -fused, -fus•ing. —v.t. to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award. to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.): to refuse permission. to express a determination not to (do something): to refuse to discuss the question. to decline to submit to. (of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier). to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage. to bend or curve back (the flank units of a military force) so that they face generally to the flank rather than the front. to renounce. —v.i. to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance. ref•use Pronunciation: (ref'ys), [key] — n. something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage. —adj. rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: refuse (Thesaurus) refusal refusenik Related Content Daily Word Quiz: soporific Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language