1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rejecting
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she refused the award, citing the hard work of others who deserved the recognition more than she did
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusing
This consistency, Nassau argues, shields founders from the reputational hit of a prior lead refusing to participate in follow-ons.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries say they are united in refusing to back any spending measure that does not include key health care protections and commitments not to roll them back.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The state sued Huntington Beach in March 2023, alleging that the city violated state law by refusing to submit a compliant housing element and creating zoning to support more housing construction.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
For Jordan, that battle has meant staying grounded in his faith and refusing to let the disease isolate him.
—Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
But anyone who responds to preventable tragedies like this—tragedies that over time begin to erode the very fabric of our country—by refusing to face the problem of gun violence and crime head-on is missing the point.
—Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The violations include student-athletes betting on and against their own teams, sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting, manipulating scoring or outcomes and/or refusing to participate in the investigation.
—Cliff Brunt, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2025
Owen Miller came next, and went quickly, his solid minor-league hitting resume refusing to translate to the majors.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries say they are united in refusing to back any spending measure that does not include key health care protections and commitments not to roll them back.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The state sued Huntington Beach in March 2023, alleging that the city violated state law by refusing to submit a compliant housing element and creating zoning to support more housing construction.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
For Jordan, that battle has meant staying grounded in his faith and refusing to let the disease isolate him.
—Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
But anyone who responds to preventable tragedies like this—tragedies that over time begin to erode the very fabric of our country—by refusing to face the problem of gun violence and crime head-on is missing the point.
—Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The violations include student-athletes betting on and against their own teams, sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting, manipulating scoring or outcomes and/or refusing to participate in the investigation.
—Cliff Brunt, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2025
Owen Miller came next, and went quickly, his solid minor-league hitting resume refusing to translate to the majors.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
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But there’s no denying that this emerging dynamic gives billionaires and their space companies unprecedented power that could play out in exciting — and perhaps dangerous — ways.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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China is also ramping up its ability to target satellites, aimed at weakening or denying adversaries access to space, reported SCMP.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tesla's world class at rejecting how things were done previously.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The roughly 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 went on strike on August 4 after rejecting the company’s previous offer.—
Reuters 20 min ago,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The negativity around Wilson wasn’t only about his declining physical skills.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Still, there is some evidence click-throughs per search are declining.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Jeremiah has been ignoring Conrad’s texts, including a recent message wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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