Another word for refuse

a-z

Verb

To be unwilling to accept, consider, or receive

nix
A water sprite of German mythology, usually in human form or half-human and half-fish.

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1. A water sprite of German mythology, usually in human form or half-human and half-fish.
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turn down
(idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
(idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
(idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.

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1. (idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
2. (idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
3. (idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
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spurn
To reject with disdain or contempt.
To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
To reject something contemptuously.

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1. To reject with disdain or contempt.
2. To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
3. To reject something contemptuously.
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reject
To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of:
To refuse to consider or grant; deny:
To turn down (an applicant, as for a job); refuse to accept.

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1. To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of:
2. To refuse to consider or grant; deny:
3. To turn down (an applicant, as for a job); refuse to accept.
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dismiss
To end the employment or service of; discharge.
To direct or allow to leave:
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel:

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1. To end the employment or service of; discharge.
2. To direct or allow to leave:
3. To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel:
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decline
To express polite refusal:
To slope downward; descend:
To bend downward; droop:

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1. To express polite refusal:
2. To slope downward; descend:
3. To bend downward; droop:
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Idioms:

turn thumbs down on

See also:

To be unwilling to grant

withhold
To refrain from giving or granting:
To keep in check; restrain:
To deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary.

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1. To refrain from giving or granting:
2. To keep in check; restrain:
3. To deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary.
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turn down
(idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
(idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
(idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.

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1. (idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
2. (idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
3. (idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
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disallow
To refuse to allow:
To reject as invalid, untrue, or improper.

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1. To refuse to allow:
2. To reject as invalid, untrue, or improper.
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deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false:
To refuse to believe; reject:
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow:

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1. To declare untrue; assert to be false:
2. To refuse to believe; reject:
3. To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow:
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See also:

Another word for refuse

Noun

leavings
Scraps or remains; residue:

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1. Scraps or remains; residue:
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waste
To use, consume, spend, or expend thoughtlessly or carelessly.
To cause to lose energy, strength, or vigor; exhaust, tire, or enfeeble:
To fail to take advantage of or use for profit; lose:

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1. To use, consume, spend, or expend thoughtlessly or carelessly.
2. To cause to lose energy, strength, or vigor; exhaust, tire, or enfeeble:
3. To fail to take advantage of or use for profit; lose:
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litter
Carelessly discarded refuse, such as wastepaper:
A disorderly accumulation of objects; a pile.
The group of offspring produced at one birth by a mammal.

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1. Carelessly discarded refuse, such as wastepaper:
2. A disorderly accumulation of objects; a pile.
3. The group of offspring produced at one birth by a mammal.
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rubbish
Refuse; garbage.
Worthless material.
Foolish discourse; nonsense.

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1. Refuse; garbage.
2. Worthless material.
3. Foolish discourse; nonsense.
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See also:

trash

Verb

turn a deaf ear to
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turn one's back on
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hold off
(idiomatic) To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.
(idiomatic) To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed).
(idiomatic, intransitive) To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed).

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1. (idiomatic) To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.
2. (idiomatic) To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed).
3. (idiomatic, intransitive) To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed).
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hold out
Used other than as an idiom: see hold,"Ž out.
To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward.
(idiomatic, often with for) To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.)

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1. Used other than as an idiom: see hold,"Ž out.
2. To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward.
3. (idiomatic, often with for) To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.)
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turn thumbs down
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not buy
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brush-off
An abrupt rebuff, a snub or curt rejection, a disdainful dismissal.
Alternative spelling of brush-off.
Used other than as an idiom: see brush,‎ off. To remove something with a brush.

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1. An abrupt rebuff, a snub or curt rejection, a disdainful dismissal.
2. Alternative spelling of brush-off.
3. Used other than as an idiom: see brush,‎ off. To remove something with a brush.
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turn-away
(intransitive) to rotate the body or head so as not to face someone or something
(intransitive) to bend or turn from a fixed course
to refuse to admit someone

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1. (intransitive) to rotate the body or head so as not to face someone or something
2. (intransitive) to bend or turn from a fixed course
3. to refuse to admit someone
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set-aside
Something, such as land or a certain percentage of profits, that is set aside for a specific purpose.
A program requiring that a percentage of government procurement contracts be reserved for disadvantaged businesses.

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1. Something, such as land or a certain percentage of profits, that is set aside for a specific purpose.
2. A program requiring that a percentage of government procurement contracts be reserved for disadvantaged businesses.
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disapprove
To have an unfavorable opinion of; condemn.
To refuse to approve; reject.
To have an unfavorable opinion:

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1. To have an unfavorable opinion of; condemn.
2. To refuse to approve; reject.
3. To have an unfavorable opinion:
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make excuses
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say no
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dissent
To have or express an opinion different from a prevailing or official position; disagree.
To reach a conclusion contrary to the majority of the judges deciding a case; render a minority opinion.
Difference of opinion or feeling; disagreement.

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1. To have or express an opinion different from a prevailing or official position; disagree.
2. To reach a conclusion contrary to the majority of the judges deciding a case; render a minority opinion.
3. Difference of opinion or feeling; disagreement.
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disaccord with
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not be at home to
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dispense with
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refuse to receive
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not care to
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not budget
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cut out of the budget
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not budge
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send-off
an expression or demonstration of friendly feeling toward someone starting out on a trip, career, etc.
a start given to someone or something

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1. an expression or demonstration of friendly feeling toward someone starting out on a trip, career, etc.
2. a start given to someone or something
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regret
To feel sorry, disappointed, distressed, or remorseful about:
To remember with a feeling of loss or sorrow; mourn:
To feel regret.

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1. To feel sorry, disappointed, distressed, or remorseful about:
2. To remember with a feeling of loss or sorrow; mourn:
3. To feel regret.
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make one's excuses
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beg-off
(idiomatic) To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.

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1. (idiomatic) To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.
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send regrets
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beg to be excused
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balk
To stop short and refuse to go on:
To refuse obstinately or abruptly:
To make an incomplete or misleading motion.

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1. To stop short and refuse to go on:
2. To refuse obstinately or abruptly:
3. To make an incomplete or misleading motion.
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recoil
To spring back, as upon firing.
To shrink back, as in fear or repugnance.
To fall back; return:

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1. To spring back, as upon firing.
2. To shrink back, as in fear or repugnance.
3. To fall back; return:
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turn from
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turn down
(idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
(idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
(idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.

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1. (idiomatic) To refuse, decline, or deny.
2. (idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
3. (idiomatic) To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
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ignore
To refuse to pay attention to; disregard.

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1. To refuse to pay attention to; disregard.
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dodge
To avoid (a blow, for example) by moving or shifting quickly aside.
To evade (an obligation, for example) by cunning, trickery, or deceit:
To blunt or reduce the intensity of (a section of a photograph) by shading during the printing process.

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1. To avoid (a blow, for example) by moving or shifting quickly aside.
2. To evade (an obligation, for example) by cunning, trickery, or deceit:
3. To blunt or reduce the intensity of (a section of a photograph) by shading during the printing process.
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evade
To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or deceit:
To avoid complying with or fulfilling:
To fail to make payment of (taxes).

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1. To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or deceit:
2. To avoid complying with or fulfilling:
3. To fail to make payment of (taxes).
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shun
To avoid using, accepting, engaging in, or partaking of:
To refuse to accept socially; avoid having social contact with:
To stay away from; not go to:

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1. To avoid using, accepting, engaging in, or partaking of:
2. To refuse to accept socially; avoid having social contact with:
3. To stay away from; not go to:
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withhold
To refrain from giving or granting:
To keep in check; restrain:
To deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary.

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1. To refrain from giving or granting:
2. To keep in check; restrain:
3. To deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary.
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hold back
(idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
(idiomatic) to contain; stop
(idiomatic) to delay, especially in school

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1. (idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
2. (idiomatic) to contain; stop
3. (idiomatic) to delay, especially in school
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withdraw
To take back or away; remove:
To cause to leave or return:
To remove (money) from an account.

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1. To take back or away; remove:
2. To cause to leave or return:
3. To remove (money) from an account.
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protest
To express a strong objection to (something):
To participate in a public demonstration in opposition to (something):
To promise or affirm earnestly, as after being doubted:

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1. To express a strong objection to (something):
2. To participate in a public demonstration in opposition to (something):
3. To promise or affirm earnestly, as after being doubted:
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demur
To voice opposition; object:
To enter a demurrer.
To delay.

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1. To voice opposition; object:
2. To enter a demurrer.
3. To delay.
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not anticipate
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have no plans to
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forbid
To command (someone) not to do something:
To command against the doing or use of (something); prohibit:
To have the effect of preventing; preclude:

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1. To command (someone) not to do something:
2. To command against the doing or use of (something); prohibit:
3. To have the effect of preventing; preclude:
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disallow
To refuse to allow:
To reject as invalid, untrue, or improper.

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1. To refuse to allow:
2. To reject as invalid, untrue, or improper.
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pass-up
Used other than as an idiom: see pass,‎ up.
(idiomatic) To refuse (not accept); forgo.

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1. Used other than as an idiom: see pass,‎ up.
2. (idiomatic) To refuse (not accept); forgo.
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scorn
Contempt or disdain felt toward a person or object considered despicable or unworthy:
The expression of such an attitude in behavior or speech; derision:
The state of being despised or dishonored:

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1. Contempt or disdain felt toward a person or object considered despicable or unworthy:
2. The expression of such an attitude in behavior or speech; derision:
3. The state of being despised or dishonored:
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repel
To ward off or keep away; drive back:
To offer resistance to; fight against:
To refuse to accept or submit to; reject:

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1. To ward off or keep away; drive back:
2. To offer resistance to; fight against:
3. To refuse to accept or submit to; reject:
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resist
To take action in opposition to; try to eliminate, reduce, or stop:
To take action to defeat or thwart (an invading or occupying military force).
To remain unaltered, undamaged, or unaffected by; withstand:

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1. To take action in opposition to; try to eliminate, reduce, or stop:
2. To take action to defeat or thwart (an invading or occupying military force).
3. To remain unaltered, undamaged, or unaffected by; withstand:
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spurn
To reject with disdain or contempt.
To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
To reject something contemptuously.

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1. To reject with disdain or contempt.
2. To kick at or tread on disdainfully.
3. To reject something contemptuously.
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deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false:
To refuse to believe; reject:
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow:

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1. To declare untrue; assert to be false:
2. To refuse to believe; reject:
3. To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow:
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repudiate
To reject the validity or authority of:
To reject emphatically as unfounded, untrue, or unjust:
To refuse to recognize or pay:

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1. To reject the validity or authority of:
2. To reject emphatically as unfounded, untrue, or unjust:
3. To refuse to recognize or pay:
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reject
To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of:
To refuse to consider or grant; deny:
To turn down (an applicant, as for a job); refuse to accept.

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1. To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of:
2. To refuse to consider or grant; deny:
3. To turn down (an applicant, as for a job); refuse to accept.
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decline
To express polite refusal:
To slope downward; descend:
To bend downward; droop:

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1. To express polite refusal:
2. To slope downward; descend:
3. To bend downward; droop:
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See also:

deny

Antonyms:

Synonym Study

To spurn is to refuse or reject with contempt or disdain she spurned his attentions
Repudiate implies the disowning, disavowal, or casting off with condemnation of a person or thing as having no authority, worth, validity, truth, etc. to repudiate the claims of faith healers
Reject stresses a negative or antagonistic attitude and implies positive refusal to accept, use, believe, etc. they rejected the damaged goods
Decline implies courtesy in expressing one's nonacceptance of an invitation, proposal, etc. he declined the nomination
Refuse is a direct, sometimes even blunt term, implying an emphatic denial of a request, demand, etc. to refuse a person money, to refuse permission

© WEBSTER’S NEW WORLD® ROGET’S A-Z THESAURUS by Charlton Laird and the editors of Webster’s New World dictionaries. Copyright © 1999 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Another word for refuse

Another word for refuse

Synonym Study

Sentence Examples

Words that mention refuse in the Dictionary

Words near refuse in the Thesaurus