Definitionv1DF-716
Soft no
a boundary refusal that leaves the door open, such as 'maybe later' or 'I'll try,' which is not boundary enforcement but boundary deferral
Why This Is a Definition
This definition clearly names 'soft no,' situates it within the category of boundary refusals, and specifies what distinguishes it (leaving doors open). It precisely distinguishes it from a hard no and provides the semantic boundary around this specific type of refusal.