refusal
refusal — noun
1. When someone says or shows clearly that they will not do something, or will not
When someone says or shows clearly that they will not do something, or will not accept something that is offered to them.
Zola's flat refusal to join the team meeting upset the manager.
flat refusal + to-infinitive
When Sahil asked for a raise, his request met with a firm refusal.
meet with a refusal
The hospital's refusal to treat the patient made national headlines.
Beatriz gave a polite refusal to the dinner invitation.
The landlord's point-blank refusal to fix the leak forced the tenants to move.
- rejection
More about turning down a person, application, or proposal; 'rejection' often implies a decision against something, while 'refusal' emphasises the act of saying no.
- denial
More formal; often used for refusing permission or access, or for contradicting a statement ('denial of a visa').
- rebuff
A more abrupt, dismissive refusal — implies rudeness or coldness.
- acceptance
The act of agreeing to take what is offered or to do what is asked.
- consent
Permission or agreement to something; more formal than 'acceptance'.
文法句型
refusal + to-infinitive
adjective + refusal
(a) refusal + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by a to-infinitive that states what has been rejected. This sense is both countable (a refusal, the refusal) and uncountable (her look of refusal).