# refusal

/ɹəfˈjuzəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪfjˈuːsəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/refusal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. saying no

noun · CEFR B2

the act of saying no to an offer, a request, or an invitation.

For teachers: the act of declining or rejecting something offered, requested, or required.

- Her refusal to help with the project made the rest of the team very angry.
- The diplomat's flat refusal of the proposed terms led to an immediate breakdown in the peace negotiations.

Usage: Often followed by 'of' plus a noun or 'to' plus an infinitive verb.

### 2. drilling limit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the point where a drill cannot go any deeper into the ground.

For teachers: the depth or specific point at which a borehole or well cannot be advanced further due to hard rock or technical limits.

- The drill hit refusal at fifty meters because of the solid granite layer.
- The engineering report noted that the piling reached refusal much earlier than anticipated, suggesting a shallow bedrock profile.

Usage: Primarily used in geological engineering and oil industries.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.