「拒否する」の英語表現を比較！refuse, reject, denyの違いと使い分け

Refuse...reject...deny

They all mean “say no” in some way, but they do different jobs. Use the wrong one, and your sentence can feel strange or even rude!

Today, we will clear up these three core words. Then we will add a few more useful ones and group them by how they feel and when to use them.

The Three Main/Core Words

Refuse (say ‘no’ to doing something, or say ‘no’ to an offer)

Use refuse when someone asks you to do something, or offers you something, and you say “no”. It often connects with to + verb.

- “I asked him to help, but he refused.”

- “She refused the dessert, because she was full.”

- “He refused to answer the question.” (see: refuse + verb)

Feeling: It can sound strong if you say “I refuse...”. It is the most general “say no” word.

Reject (say something is not good enough, or not accept a person/idea)

Use reject when you do not accept something because it is not good enough, or you do not want it. It is often about things, ideas, or people in a formal process.

- “The company rejected his application.”

- “She rejected his idea. She said it was too expensive.”

- “He felt rejected by his friends.”

Feeling: Stronger than refuse. It often means “I will not take this because I do not think it is good enough.” It can also mean personal hurt (see example three).

Important difference:
You refuse an offer.
You reject a thing or a person.

Deny (say something is not true, or refuse to give something expected)

Deny has two main uses.

1. Say something is not true.

- “He denied stealing the money.” (He said it was not true.)

- “She denies the rumour.”

2. Refuse to give something that someone expects or wants.

- “They denied him a visa.”

- “The children were denied a second cookie.”

Feeling: Formal. Often used in legal, official, or serious situations.

Quick core contrast:

- Refuse = say no to doing or taking something

- Reject = say something is not good enough or not wanted

- Deny = say something is not true, or refuse to give

Related Words: Grouped by Feeling and Use

Now that the main three are clear, let’s look at some words that are similar, but have different feelings or uses.

Polite Ways to Say No

Decline

A softer, more polite version of refuse. Use it when you want to be respectful, especially in business or invitations.

- “I’m afraid I must decline your invitation.”

- “They declined our offer, but thanked us for the negotiation.”

Think:Decline = refuse, but with manners.

Turn down

A phrasal verb (verb+preposition). It means you did not accept an offer, an invitation, or a chance. It is very common in everyday spokenEnglish.

- “She turned down the job offer.”

- “I can’t believe he turned down a free ticket to the concert.”

Think:Turn down = natural, friendly version of decline. You can use it in most conversations.

Choosing Not to Take Part

Opt out

You decide not to join something that you were included in before. It is often about systems, groups, or arrangements.

- “Staff can opt out of the pension plan.”

- “I’m going to opt out of the company dinner. I’m too tired.”

Think:Opt out = remove yourself from something you were part of or could be part of.

Rejecting Ideas Strongly

Dismiss

You do not consider an idea, a suggestion, or a worry. You treat it as unimportant.

- “The boss dismissed my idea without even listening.”

- “She dismissed his concerns as silly.”

Feeling: It can sound arrogant (like you think you are better). Use carefully.

Shoot down

An informal and strong phrasal verb. You reject an idea quickly and completely, often with criticism.

- “I suggested a new plan, but they shot it down immediately.”

- “The committee shot down the proposal.”

Think:Shoot down = dismiss with extra force and speed. It is a vivid (strong mental image) metaphor.

Official Words

Refute

Important: Do not confuse refute with refuse. They look similar, but the meaning is completely different.

Refute means to prove that something is false. It is about using facts or logicto show a statement is wrong. It is not the same as refuse (say no).

- “The scientist refuted the old theory with new data.”

- “Lawyers refute the opponent’s argument in court.”

Think:Refute = showit’s wrong through proof. Refuse = just say no.

Veto

Someone with authority uses their power to stop a decision. It is very official.

- “The president has the power to veto the law.”

- “My boss vetoed the holiday request. She said it’s too busy that week.”

Feeling: Official, final.

Why This Matters

Using the right word changes the whole feeling of your sentence.

- “I refused” = I said no. (direct)

- “I declined” = I said no, but politely. (soft)

- “I rejected it” = I said it was not good enough. (strong, personal)

- “I denied it” = I said it is not true. (about facts)

- “I dismissed it” = I did not even think about it. (can sound a bit rude)

Choosing carefully helps you express the exact feeling you want.

Common Mistakes

- ✘ “He rejected to pay the bill.”

✔ “He refused to pay the bill.” (After refuse, use to + verb.)

- ✘ “The government refused his visa.”

✔ “The government denied his visa.” (The government has the ability and right to say no.)

- ✘ “I refute to go.”

✔ “I refuse to go.” (*Refute* means to prove something false, not to say no.)

Quick Practice

Choose the best word(s) for each sentence.

1. The university ______ my application because my grades were low.

a) refused

b) rejected

c) denied

2. I asked her to help, but she ______ .

a) rejected

b) denied

c) refused

3. He ______ that he broke the window. He said he was not there.

a) declined

b) denied

c) dismissed

4. The manager ______ my suggestion without even thinking about it.

a) dismissed

b) refuted

c) opted out

5. She ______ the job offer because the salary was too low.

a) turned down

b) vetoed

c) shot down

6. The minister used his power to ______ the new law.

a) deny

b) veto

c) refute

Final Thought

Remember three basic jobs:

- Refuse = say no to doing something or taking an offer.

- Reject = say something is not good enough.

- Deny = say something is not true, or not give something expected.

Once you know these core differences, the other words become easier. Decline is a formal say-no. Turn down is a casual say-no. Dismiss is a “not even worth thinking about” say-no. And refute is about proving falsehood, not about refusing at all.

If you want to learn more nuanced English vocabulary and phrases, in a comfortable, personalised lesson, please get in contact with us at Gold Forest Academy. We offer private English classes in Tama Plaza, and shape the lessons to your exact needs and level.

Answers:

1) b
2) c
3) b
4) a
5) a
6) b