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# refuse

verb (refuse, refuses, refused, refusing — stress on «fuse»); noun (refuse — stress on «ref», means rubbish)

«refuse» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To refuse means to say no, or to not do something you are asked to do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#m1)
2. To refuse something means to not accept it: she refused the offer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#m2)
3. As a noun (said REF-yoos), refuse means rubbish or waste. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#m3)

### In the lessons

In safety lessons refusing is a strong skill: you can refuse to go with a stranger, refuse to keep an unsafe secret, and refuse to join in bullying. In stories a character who refuses shows they are stubborn, brave or angry. In everyday life a «refuse collection» is the rubbish collection (UK). Phrases: refuse to, refuse an offer, flatly refuse.

### Examples

- He refused to share his toys. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x1)
- It's okay to refuse if someone asks you to do something unsafe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x2)
- The dog refused to eat its dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x3)
- She refused the sweets because she had an allergy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x4)
- The donkey refused to move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x5)
- The refuse lorry takes away the rubbish on Mondays. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x6)
- I asked him to stop, but he refused. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x7)
- You can refuse a hug if you don't want one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x8)
- At first I refused to go. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/#x9)

### Note

Two words spelled the same: re-FUSE (verb, say no) and REF-use (noun, rubbish). Use «refuse to» + verb: «refused to go». The noun for the act of saying no is «refusal». Politely refusing: «No, thank you».

## In Jewish tradition

In Jeremiah, people refuse to return to God, and are called refuse silver because God has rejected them. Proverbs tells the listener not to refuse instruction.

**Interpretation.** Pharaoh's refusal is the cause of the ten plagues, and tradition reads it as a hardened heart. Jeremiah's picture of worthless silver is read as a warning about a people who will not be refined.

### Examples

- For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, (Torah EXO.9.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x1)
- Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him. (Torah NUM.20.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x2)
- And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs. (Torah EXO.8.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x3)
- They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Prophets JER.8.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x4)
- Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. (Writings PRO.8.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x5)
- Refuse silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them. (Prophets JER.6.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/#x6)

### Note

Two words spelled the same: re-FUSE (verb, say no) and REF-use (noun, rubbish). Use «refuse to» + verb: «refused to go». The noun for the act of saying no is «refusal». Politely refusing: «No, thank you».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «refuse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refuse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«refuse» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/refuse.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «refuse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/refuse/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«refuse» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/refuse.html) on Mova free.