as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of turndown
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Usually left on guests' beds during turndown service, the fabric sculptures can range from simple swans and bunnies to elaborate elephants, monkeys, or even sea creatures.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Jackson County voters turned down an extension of a 3/8-cent sales tax that would have been used to help fund a new baseball stadium and refurbish Arrowhead Stadium.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
By adapting this architecture specifically for hydrogen, the company claims to have achieved the highest current density and turndown ratios in the alkaline category.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Usually left on guests' beds during turndown service, the fabric sculptures can range from simple swans and bunnies to elaborate elephants, monkeys, or even sea creatures.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
No one in the South will be able to turn down a slice of this special confection.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2024, Jackson County voters turned down an extension of a 3/8-cent sales tax that would have been used to help fund a new baseball stadium and refurbish Arrowhead Stadium.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
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The tension in Hines’s version lies in Bessette’s refusal to conform to the role.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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And six in 10 view Republicans’ refusal to accept changes requested by Democrats negatively.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Protesters stood in front of the main gate and refused to leave.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This proved to be the initial step on a path that eventually led to my rejection of the faith in which I’d been raised.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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That rejection of redemption is precisely what makes these stories indispensable now.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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The council also rejected, narrowly, a flat 2% increase suggested by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez in a 7-8 vote.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But on Wednesday, Tchekmedyian and Pringle reported that Bass was involved in the revisions despite her earlier denials.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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His defense of Poland’s actions during World War II and denial of any Polish role in the Holocaust has driven outrage from Israel, especially on account of his Jewish heritage, while winning him praise in Poland.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, the trio may not want to pass up making Latin history again.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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And for me, the opportunity to work with coach Harbaugh was too good to pass up.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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