an outright refusal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outright refusal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete and unambiguous rejection of a request or proposal. Example: "The committee issued an outright refusal to the funding request, citing budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Where information and cooperation was called for, we received delay or an outright refusal to help.

The New York Times

It contends the state court decision is an "outright refusal of the majority to follow Citizens United".

The New York Times

Don't be fobbed off easily with a repair or even an outright refusal to consider your complaint.

The Guardian - Money

Any alliance with the Socialists could dilute Podemos's message of change, while an outright refusal to forge alliances could destabilise the regional parliament and lend credibility to opposition claims that a vote for Podemos is a vote for instability.

The Guardian

The daughter of a Tory life peer, and not known for her anti-establishment sympathies, she later insisted that it had been more complicated than an outright refusal, saying: "I'm not saving lives and I'm not doing anything other than something I absolutely love".

Independent

If the task is tedious or if the technician is bored with that particular manipulation, don't be surprised to encounter mutiny in the form of an outright refusal.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The accounts of ex-shadow cabinet members, such as Lilian Greenwood, or former supporters, like Lisa Nandy and Louise Haigh (none of whom could sensibly be dismissed as biased "Blairites"), show the reality of Corbyn's leadership: an inability – and outright refusal – to either bridge divisions with colleagues or communicate policy to the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's a reluctance, or outright refusal, to recognize that things have gone awfully wrong," Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group told me last March in Amman.

Huffington Post

On the first, it is right to be cautious about breaking up countries, but when a region is a recognisable cultural, ethnic or linguistic entity, outright refusal to allow a vote is perverse.

The Economist

Sometimes there is cooperation, sometimes the board splits, and once in a while there is outright refusal.

Forbes

Non-participation results mostly from outright refusal: a key factor in headache studies is that people with headache, having a personal interest, are more likely to participate, promoting a form of selection bias that can be highly misleading.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an outright refusal" to clearly communicate a complete and unambiguous rejection, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Ensure the context supports such a firm stance.

Common error

Avoid using "an outright refusal" when a more subtle or conditional rejection is intended. This phrase implies a complete lack of willingness to consider the request, which may be too strong for some situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outright refusal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a specific instance or type of rejection. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an outright refusal" is a noun phrase used to express a complete and unambiguous rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most common in news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig, and is also found in scientific and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality and accurately reflects the finality of the rejection. Alternatives include "a flat denial" or "a firm rejection" for similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flat denial

Emphasizes the directness and lack of ambiguity in the denial.

a firm rejection

Highlights the resolute and unwavering nature of the refusal.

a complete no

Simplifies the refusal to its most basic and absolute form.

a categorical denial

Stresses the absence of exceptions or conditions in the denial.

a definitive refusal

Focuses on the finality and conclusiveness of the refusal.

a blunt rejection

Highlights the candid and perhaps impolite nature of the refusal.

a point-blank refusal

Emphasizes the directness and lack of hesitation in the refusal.

a straight-out rejection

Informally emphasizes the complete and unambiguous nature of the rejection.

an absolute declination

Formally expresses the complete refusal to accept or agree.

a total rebuff

Highlights the abrupt and dismissive nature of the refusal.

FAQs

How to use "an outright refusal" in a sentence?

You can use "an outright refusal" to describe a situation where someone completely rejects a proposal or request. For example: "The committee issued "an outright refusal" to the funding request."

What can I say instead of "an outright refusal"?

You can use alternatives like "a flat denial", "a firm rejection", or "a complete no" depending on the context.

Is "outright refusal" formal or informal?

"Outright refusal" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "absolute declination" exist.

What's the difference between "an outright refusal" and "a reluctance"?

"An outright refusal" indicates a complete and definite rejection, while "a reluctance" suggests hesitation or unwillingness without necessarily implying a final decision. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrases are sometimes used together to convey varying degrees of opposition.