Intermediate 📚 Vocabulary · #239 of 1319

refuse (v.)

to say no

Examples

  • He refused to help.

Key rules

  • Refuse means say no to something
  • Refuse to + verb
  • Refusal is the noun

Common mistakes

  • He refused help → He refused to help
  • She refuses for to leave → She refuses to leave

Use cases

  • Declining offers
  • Saying no to requests
  • Describing disputes
💡 Tip: Decline is more polite than refuse.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← reduce (v.)rely (v.) →

Related Intermediate topics

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achieve (v.)

to succeed in reaching a goal

appreciate (v.)

to value or be grateful for

approach (v.)

to come near; to deal with

available (adj.)

able to be used or obtained

avoid (v.)

to stay away from

benefit (n.)

a helpful result