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refuser

/ʁə.fy.ze/
verb★Beginner💡 to refuse
formalinformal

To decline or reject something offered or requested.

Elle a refusé de signer le contrat.

She refused to sign the contract.

Le gouvernement a refusé la demande.

The government refused the request.

💡

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

Collocations

refuser une offreto refuse an offerrefuser de faire quelque choseto refuse to do somethingrefuser catégoriquementto refuse categorically

Synonyms

déclinerrejeterrefuser netopposer un refus

Antonyms

accepterapprouverconsentir

Related Phrases

refuser netphrase
to refuse outright
refuser de but en blancphrase
to refuse bluntly

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Refuser' is a versatile verb that can be used in both formal and informal settings. It is often followed by 'de' when refusing to do something.

⚡Gold Rule

Preposition Usage

Use 'de' before an infinitive verb when refusing to do something, e.g., 'refuser de partir' (to refuse to leave).

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'refuser', from Latin 'refusare', meaning 'to pour back' or 'to reject'.

📝Usage Notes

In formal contexts, 'refuser' can be used in legal or official documents. In informal contexts, it is commonly used in everyday conversations.

Word Breakdown

re-
again
prefix
+
-fus-
to pour
root
+
-er
verb ending
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais

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