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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turndown
Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The Missouri running back turned down multiple offers from other schools this past offseason to enter the transfer portal, deciding to stay in Columbia and continue building his legacy with the Tigers.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
Service included thoughtful touches: plates of fresh fruit, delicate mini-cakes and a turndown service that included herbal tea served in flasks.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
For luxury hotels where the staff offers daily cleaning services and nightly turndown services, guests should leave a little more.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Almodóvar has found himself in a similar position, turning down an overture from a Saudi festival.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The Missouri running back turned down multiple offers from other schools this past offseason to enter the transfer portal, deciding to stay in Columbia and continue building his legacy with the Tigers.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
-
Da Vinci won with the track at the Sanremo Music Festival earlier this year, giving him the right of first refusal to represent Italy at Eurovision.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
That opacity serves a clear purpose, but Martelli is enamored by it to a fault, and Inés’ refusal to question the people around her or make any significant decisions beyond keeping her mouth shut eventually proves more trying than helpful.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
That’s still intense emotional and intellectual material for a mainstream TV series, but the Muschiettis, much like King, refuse to frame their work as an abstract allegory.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
-
DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng—a hedge fund billionaire who controls nearly the entire company—has spent years refusing outside money.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin may not have realized it in December, but losing Lane Kiffin to LSU could eventually look less like a rejection and more like a fortunate escape.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
Not as punishment or as a rejection of the technology, but as a deliberate change of pace.—
Illia Smoliienko,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Libby Savill, the deputy chair of Southbank Centre, outright rejected the allegations.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 May 2026
-
That could be fine if people knew when to rely on AIs and when to reject them.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The filing includes email correspondence between the PTPA and the two federations, detailing the denials.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
The denial of Ukrainian political and cultural independence is grounded in the ideas of Russkiy mir.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
McGrail says Janet declined and put an end to the evening.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Basallo’s +436 odds at DraftKings for his home run bet are too good to pass up.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Simpson was back in Los Angeles for the first time since April 24, the day after the seemingly Super Bowl-ready Rams surprised many by passing up the opportunity to select a receiver to choose an Alabama quarterback with only 15 starts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
