1
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reject
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she refused the award, citing the hard work of others who deserved the recognition more than she did
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discarded
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of refuse
Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
One hardline Republican, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, drew Mr. Trump’s ire for refusing to go along with the plan.
—Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Joseph Wilson and Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
What was once a clean ocean in the women’s youth is now an underwater desert of bleached coral and dwindling flora, ravaged by climate change and battered by floating refuse from China, Japan, and the mainland.
—Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024
Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for refuse 
Verb
President Biden signed a bill into law Saturday that averts a government shutdown, bringing a final close to days of upheaval after Congress approved a temporary funding plan just past the deadline and refused President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demands in the package.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
One hardline Republican, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, drew Mr. Trump’s ire for refusing to go along with the plan.
—Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
As the waters fell, thick layers of mud mixed with refuse made streets unrecognizable.
—Joseph Wilson and Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
What was once a clean ocean in the women’s youth is now an underwater desert of bleached coral and dwindling flora, ravaged by climate change and battered by floating refuse from China, Japan, and the mainland.
—Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for refuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
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The Supreme Court had previously denied TikTok's request for an injunction that would have delayed enforcement until Trump takes office, instead planning to rush a decision on whether the Act violates the First Amendment before the deadline hits.Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
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Michael LeBron wanted to rent a billboard in an Amtrak station, was denied, and ended up suing Amtrak over First Amendment rights.Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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By March, 2014, all but one of the publishers had rejected the book, and Kim and Freeman parted ways.Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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In the last presidential election, a member from each chamber needed to object to the count to force lawmakers to debate and vote on whether to accept or reject a state's results.Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The best response is to stand together and rally around New Orleans, showing all such extremists that their vision of the world is garbage.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
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Clean Cult All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Verbena (Set of 3) $15 Amazon Papaya Reusable Paper Towels Bundle (Set of 6) $54 $46 Amazon Get a combination recycling bin–trash can Keep recycling and garbage separate without the pain of multiple bins with a combination recycling bin–trash can.Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His scoring and shooting marks had declined the previous two seasons from his career highs in 2021-22, but this year has been a more noticeable dip.John Hollinger, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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Applebee’s same-store sales have declined for the last six straight quarters, according to company filings.Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the hyperconnected world of 2025, where reviews and social media shape public perception, startups can’t afford to ignore branding.Abdo Riani, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.Nena Farrell, WIRED, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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According to preliminary data, there are no casualties from falling debris.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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As Earth moves into that trail, the debris burns up in our atmosphere, creating shooting stars.Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Game wardens found trash near the carcasses, which included rubber gloves similar to those used while butchering a deer, Game and Fish Spokesman Keith Stephens said.NWA Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024
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But in New York, trash really only has one place left to go: on the sidewalk, often piled high.The Upshot Staff, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This anti-waste brand upcycles materials, and was founded by Kisa Sky Shiga.Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022
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Fanning out like urban guerrillas through Paris’ darkened streets well after midnight, the anti-waste activists shinny up walls and drain pipes, reaching for switches to turn off the lights. Click.The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2022
Thesaurus Entries Near refuse
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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