Refuse means to say no to something or to decline an offer. When your friend invites you to their birthday party but you have a family obligation, you might have to refuse the invitation. When a teacher offers extra credit work and you're already satisfied with your grade, you can refuse without penalty.

Refusing can be difficult because it sometimes means disappointing someone or going against pressure. If classmates dare you to do something dangerous, refusing protects you even though it might feel awkward. When a stranger offers you a ride home, you should refuse and find a trusted adult instead.

The word carries different weight depending on the situation. Refusing dessert is a simple choice, but when someone refuses to apologize after hurting a friend, it shows stubbornness or pride. When a doctor refuses to give up on finding a cure, it shows determination.

A refusal is the act of refusing: “Her refusal to cheat, even when everyone else did, showed real integrity.”

As a noun, refuse can also mean trash or waste material: “The workers hauled away the refuse from the construction site.”