refuse

B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal

v. to not give someone something that they want or need.

v. to withhold something from someone; to deny a person access to a resource or permission.

“The bank refused him a loan because he did not have a job.”

“The authorities refused the journalist entry to the facility, citing safety concerns and ongoing maintenance work.”

C2 · Proficiency Sports Technical

v. to move a part of an army back so it is not in a straight line with the rest.

v. to move a wing or flank of a military formation back so that it faces a different direction from the main line.

“The general decided to refuse his left wing to protect it from the enemy.”

“By refusing his right flank, the commander successfully prevented the cavalry from encircling his infantry during the final stages of the battle.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Formal

n. things that people throw away because they are no longer wanted.

n. waste or debris; material that has been discarded as worthless.

“The city collectors come every Tuesday to pick up the household refuse.”

“The factory was fined for dumping industrial refuse into the local river without following proper environmental safety protocols.”