1
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discarded
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of refuse
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent evidence shows that those subsidies, which Congress refused to extend last year, were riddled with fraud.
—Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The refuse removal company has a 50-day moving average of $225.36 and a 200-day moving average of $224.92, putting it near a death cross.
—Liz Napolitano,nick Wells, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2025
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Verb
Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.
—Noun
The argument continued in the distance, not far from a dumpster brimming with refuse that spilled onto the ground around it.
—Adjective
Officials with the city’s Bureau of Sanitation said the existing trash fees have not been generating enough money to cover the true cost of refuse collection.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
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He was charged with first-degree murder but denied any involvement.—
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Squeeze Burger announced Tuesday that its sole remaining brick-and-mortar in Roseville is set to close later this month, after its proposal for a new lease was reportedly denied.—
Verb
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Bonta rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated and said the states were targeted solely because of their political leadership.—
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For at least the third time in just over a year, Humphrey has rejected most serious charges against rule-breaking cops.—
Noun
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That’s the whole point of that process of aging and using garbage bags and paint.—
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Raising the city’s garbage fee was another structural solution that aldermen and the mayor opted to avoid because of similar political difficulties.—
Adjective
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In another development, researchers in the US developed a new method that could turn discarded data center hardware into a reliable, eco-friendly source of rare earths and valuable metals.—
Verb
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When asked about its plans, McDonald's declined to comment to Fox News Digital.—
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Due to ongoing litigation, the airline declined to comment further.—
Verb
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Authorities said Sutton ignored multiple commands to comply and resisted detention.—
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The background checks on Cook, if in fact there were any, were totally ignored.—
Noun
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
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Rescuers retrieved eight people alive and were searching for the missing still trapped after a huge mound of garbage and debris collapsed on them in the village of Binaliw in Cebu city, police said.—
Noun
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However, do not compost plant debris and soil of plants that had pest and disease issues, but dispose of it in the trash.—
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Wayne’s body was found by a passing driver in a northeast Aurora field littered with trash and debris one month after she was last seen alive, with her clothes and purse were strewn about the area, according to the affidavit.—
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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