verb

refuse

to refuse, to decline

He refused to answer the question.

He refused to answer the question.

She refused my offer of help.

She refused my offer of help.

((to-inf)) to say that you will not do sth. He refused to help us.

((sth.)) to say that you do not want sth. She refused the job offer.

Synonyms: decline, reject; Antonyms: accept, agree

From Latin 'refundere' (to pour back, give back), from 're-' (back) + 'fundere' (to pour). The idea is 'to push back' what is offered.

Imagine pushing something 'back' ('re-') that is being offered to you, so you don't 'fuse' with it.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.