outright refuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"outright refuse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or group that rejects something without considering any other options. For example, "The government outright refused to accept the demands of the protesters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

In many countries, such an admonition might strike fear among a minority who forget, fudge or outright refuse to file.

The New York Times

In my experience, not only did most cabbies outright refuse to take me across the river, but when they did acquiesce, they had no idea where they were going.

The New York Times - Style

Of the people who outright refuse to go online, 61percentt have never owned a computer.

TechCrunch

So far, no one's been bold enough to outright refuse to email me.

TechCrunch

I don't know too many of my colleagues who outright refuse to review their mail.

Huffington Post

forced Tillerson to outright refuse to answer what he knew about Exxon hiding climate science data for decades.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Asked if anyone outright refused to work with her, she said: "I hate this word banned.

The New York Times

As talented as Anthony is, he never embraced D'Antoni's offense and at times outright refused to run it.

The New York Times

So far, on advice from the police, he has strung him along without outright refusing to pay.

The New York Times

In most cases, they have outright refused to bargain with Democrats, or have done so, as in 2011, only when economic disaster was imminent.

The New York Times

Many a time at Stevenage railway station taxi drivers have outright refused to carry me with my guide dog, Mac, or fibbed about being busy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outright refuse" when you want to emphasize a complete and unambiguous rejection of something, leaving no room for negotiation or compromise.

Common error

While "outright refuse" is generally acceptable, it may sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider using "categorically deny" or "unequivocally reject" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outright refuse" functions as a verb phrase, where "outright" modifies the verb "refuse", emphasizing the complete and unconditional nature of the refusal. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outright refuse" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a complete and unambiguous rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain settings. Usage is frequent in news, wiki and science domains. When employing this phrase, it's important to consider the desired level of formality and the emphasis you wish to place on the decisiveness of the rejection. Alternatives such as "categorically deny" or "flatly reject" can provide a similar meaning with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reject outright

Simply reverses the word order but maintains the core meaning.

unequivocally reject

Stresses the lack of ambiguity or hesitation in the rejection.

flatly reject

Similar in meaning but may imply a more formal rejection.

completely reject

Highlights the totality of the rejection, leaving no room for compromise.

categorically deny

Emphasizes a strong, unambiguous denial, rather than just refusal.

rebuff

A more concise and direct synonym, often used in formal contexts.

absolutely decline

More polite but still firm; emphasizes unwillingness rather than opposition.

turn down

A more common and informal way to express refusal.

firmly decline

Similar to "absolutely decline" but can suggest a more reasoned decision.

summarily dismiss

Implies a quick and often disdainful rejection, without much consideration.

FAQs

What does "outright refuse" mean?

The phrase "outright refuse" means to completely and unequivocally reject something. It implies a firm and decisive denial without any hesitation or compromise.

What can I say instead of "outright refuse"?

You can use alternatives like "categorically deny", "flatly reject", or "completely reject" depending on the context.

How to use "outright refuse" in a sentence?

Example: "The company outright refused to negotiate with the union." This shows a clear and complete rejection of negotiation.

What is the difference between "outright refuse" and "reject"?

"Outright refuse" emphasizes the completeness and decisiveness of the rejection, while simply "reject" is a more general term. "Outright" adds a sense of finality and lack of compromise.