Polite noun for turning down an offer, invitation, or request. Often used in formal contexts or written notices.
See also: 断り
I'm very sorry, but I must decline.
Polite term for a formal notice or announcement, often used in official or business contexts to inform of a decision or policy.
I turned down his offer.
At the shop entrance, it said 'No entry today'.
A notice was posted on the bulletin board.
We will start construction after issuing a notice.
There's a sign in front of the shop that says 'No salespeople.'
We must respectfully decline this request.
I'd like to give advance notice about the price increase.
辞退 specifically means politely declining an offer or honor (like a nomination), while お断り is used more broadly for refusing requests, invitations, or offers.
Standard polite spelling with honorific お.
Variant spelling using 断わり instead of 断り; less common but acceptable.
Polite form of 断り (ことわり), with the honorific prefix お added. 断り derives from the verb 断る (ことわる), meaning 'to refuse' or 'to give notice'.