refuse to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is unwilling to accept or recognize a fact, situation, or person's existence. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, he continues to refuse to acknowledge the mistakes he made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They both refuse to acknowledge the other side.

The New York Times

(Schumer aides so far refuse to acknowledge his existence).

The New York Times

"You cannot defeat an enemy you refuse to acknowledge".

The New York Times

Or does she refuse to acknowledge her limitations?

The New York Times

Yet most faculty and administrators refuse to acknowledge this crisis.

The New York Times

They refuse to acknowledge the true value of their portfolios.

The New York Times

Sometimes they will refuse to acknowledge you any more.

The Guardian - Tech

I refuse to acknowledge such submissions," Bent said.

The Guardian - Books

"But they refuse to acknowledge that their widespread net has a very big hole in it".

The New York Times

Is this why people who hate trans women refuse to acknowledge the existence of trans men?

Independent

As everybody knows, but the haters & losers refuse to acknowledge, I do not wear a "wig".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to acknowledge" to express a deliberate unwillingness to accept or recognize something, often despite evidence or reason.

Common error

While "refuse to acknowledge" is generally acceptable, consider using more informal alternatives like "ignore" or "disregard" in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to acknowledge" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate and active rejection of recognizing or accepting something. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically sound and widely used construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refuse to acknowledge" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a deliberate unwillingness to accept or recognize something. Ludwig AI verifies its usability across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, business, and general writing, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, consider using it to highlight intentional denial or disagreement. While generally neutral, remember to adjust the tone accordingly for more informal settings. Alternatives like "decline to admit" or "reject the notion of" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline to admit

Implies a more formal or polite way of not accepting something.

reject the notion of

Indicates a strong disagreement or disbelief in something.

disavow any knowledge of

Suggests a formal denial of having any information about something.

turn a blind eye to

Implies ignoring something intentionally, often something negative.

be in denial about

Describes a psychological state of refusing to accept reality.

fail to recognize

Highlights an inability or unwillingness to see or understand something.

look the other way

Similar to 'turn a blind eye', indicating deliberate avoidance.

sweep under the rug

Suggests concealing or ignoring something problematic.

discount the importance of

Downplays the significance or relevance of something.

write off as irrelevant

Dismisses something as not important or applicable.

FAQs

What does "refuse to acknowledge" mean?

The phrase "refuse to acknowledge" means to deliberately not accept or recognize something, even when there is evidence or reason to do so.

How can I use "refuse to acknowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "refuse to acknowledge" in a sentence like this: "The company executives "refuse to acknowledge" the environmental damage caused by their factory."

What are some alternatives to "refuse to acknowledge"?

Some alternatives to "refuse to acknowledge" include "decline to admit", "reject the notion of", or "turn a blind eye to".

Is it more appropriate to say "refuse to acknowledge" or "fail to acknowledge"?

"Refuse to acknowledge" implies a deliberate and conscious decision not to accept something, whereas "fail to acknowledge" suggests an inability or oversight. The choice depends on the intended meaning.