refuse
Translation
to decline, to reject, to turn down
Examples
He refused to help me.
He refused to help me.
She refused the offer of a job.
She refused the offer of a job.
Grammar Patterns
((to-inf)) to say that you will not do (sth.) He refused to answer the question.
((sth.)) to say that you will not accept (sth.) She refused the invitation.
Similar Words
Synonyms: decline, reject, turn down; Antonyms: accept, agree, consent
Etymology
From Latin 'refundere' (to pour back), from 're-' (back) + 'fundere' (to pour). The sense evolved to 'reject'.
Memory Tips
Remember the two pronunciations: to reFUSE (verb, /rɪˈfjuːz/) is to say no, while REfuse (noun, /ˈrefjuːs/) is trash or garbage.