refusal
n. C / U C1 Advanced Oxford US //ɹəfˈjuzəɫ// UK //ɹɪfjˈuːsəl// re·fusal
n. the act of saying no to something you are offered or asked to do. It shows that you do not accept a request, an invitation, or a rule.
n. the act of declining or rejecting a request, offer, or command. Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe a non-compliance or a formal statement of rejection.
His refusal to help surprised everyone in the office.
The manager's flat refusal to discuss a pay rise led to a formal complaint from the staff.
The committee's refusal of the proposal was based on a lack of long-term funding, despite the project's clear social benefits and strong community support.
From Middle English refusell; equivalent to refuse + -al.
Usage
Often followed by the infinitive 'to' or the preposition 'of'.