Refuzar

Refuzar is a Portuguese verb meaning to refuse, reject, or decline something offered or requested. It is transitive and typically takes a direct object, as in refuzar uma oferta or refuzar um convite. The verb can also introduce a clause with an infinitive to express a decision not to perform an action, for example refuzar fazer algo.

In use, refuzar often appears in contexts such as negotiations, formal decisions, or everyday refusals. It can contrast with synonyms like recusar or negar, depending on nuance: refuzar emphasizes a firm denial or rejection of what is proposed.

Regional and register differences influence its frequency. In some varieties of Portuguese, particularly European Portuguese, refuzar is common in formal or literary contexts, while recusar is widespread across many regions. In Brazilian Portuguese, recusar is frequently preferred in everyday speech, though refuzar is understood and used in certain formal or regional contexts.

Conjugation and grammar follow the patterns of regular -ar verbs in Portuguese, with subject-verb agreement in appropriate tenses. It forms standard tenses and moods alongside other regular -ar verbs, and it can appear in negations, questions, and compound constructions just like similar verbs. See also recusar and negar as related terms.