re ‧ fus ‧ al /rɪˈfjuːz ə l/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
when you say firmly that you will not do, give, or accept something
refusal to do something
His refusal to pay the fine got him into even more trouble.
flat/blunt/point-blank refusal (=an immediate direct refusal)
His request was met with a blunt refusal.
refusal of
They couldn’t understand her refusal of a scholarship to Yale.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a stubborn/obstinate refusal (=a refusal even when others think this is unreasonable)
Her stubborn refusal to admit the truth was trying his patience.
▪ a flat/outright refusal (=definite and direct)
She had not anticipated a flat refusal.
▪ a point-blank refusal (=immediate, direct, and without a reason)
This point-blank refusal to discuss the issue enraged him.
▪ a blunt refusal (=honest and direct but likely to upset someone)
A blunt refusal to help will simply damage relations further.
▪ a polite refusal
My request was met with a polite refusal.