as in rejections
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
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Recent Examples of refusals
Some went to court to challenge government refusals to authorize pickets, while others scaled them back to smaller indoor gatherings.
—
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Care refusals aren’t a new phenomenon.
—Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Most families decide to get it, said Felton, who has seen no uptick in refusals.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Israel’s campaign may aim to undermine the morale of Basijis and prompt defections or refusals to serve.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Missile crews are reportedly reluctant to leave cover, desertions are increasing, refusals to obey orders are surfacing, and American and Israeli forces continue hunting launchers daily.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Feb. 2026
Conversation starters → Guy Fieri, a chef famous for trying everything, has revealed a few firm food refusals.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Medical staff were ordered to make sure all refusals of medical treatment were made directly to them and documented.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Care refusals aren’t a new phenomenon.
—Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Most families decide to get it, said Felton, who has seen no uptick in refusals.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Israel’s campaign may aim to undermine the morale of Basijis and prompt defections or refusals to serve.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Missile crews are reportedly reluctant to leave cover, desertions are increasing, refusals to obey orders are surfacing, and American and Israeli forces continue hunting launchers daily.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron blasted tech company executives of social media platforms over refusals to limit or restrict speech.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Feb. 2026
Conversation starters → Guy Fieri, a chef famous for trying everything, has revealed a few firm food refusals.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Medical staff were ordered to make sure all refusals of medical treatment were made directly to them and documented.
—Christopher Damien, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusals
Noun
-
The family has had three rejections so far.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The partial rejections were issued March 9 by EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who agreed with the environmental group that the six air permits were insufficient.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pritzker has said those denials were politically motivated.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her covert affair with Davis became big news when a Chicago gossip columnist wrote a detailed account of their relationship in early 1958, including their plans to wed, despite their denials.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusals. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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