as in refusing
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation
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Recent Examples of turning down
Some also favor turning down the heat and simmering eggs.
—
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
But after turning down the 30-year payout, the winnings dropped to $57 million before taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Shortly after turning down the big job, her career took on a whole new direction.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
No one is turning down the heat.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
His 47 percent conversion rate on those attempts isn’t quite high enough to warrant turning down layups that could lead to three-point plays and put opponents into foul trouble.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Such a visit could be the ticket to turning down the temperature in a rapidly accelerating sub-regional showdown whose costs will be borne by the sub-region’s approximately 200 million people.
—Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
But after turning down the 30-year payout, the winnings dropped to $57 million before taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Shortly after turning down the big job, her career took on a whole new direction.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
No one is turning down the heat.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
His 47 percent conversion rate on those attempts isn’t quite high enough to warrant turning down layups that could lead to three-point plays and put opponents into foul trouble.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Such a visit could be the ticket to turning down the temperature in a rapidly accelerating sub-regional showdown whose costs will be borne by the sub-region’s approximately 200 million people.
—Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
-
In addition to the DUI, Woods faces additional charges for refusing the urine test.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
He was jailed on a count of DUI after refusing to take a urine test, which carries an additional charge.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The same year, an appeals court said a lawsuit against Snapchat over a speed filter feature involved in deadly car crashes could proceed, rejecting the company's argument that the case should be thrown out on Section 230 grounds.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Union leaders said negotiations have stalled for months, and are accusing BP of rejecting their proposals on jobs, pay, and safety.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
European luxury is entering a high-stakes first-quarter reporting period as sentiment has taken a decisive hit, just as many of the sector's big names were nearing a turning point after years of declining sales.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Royal Navy has shrunk dramatically since the Cold War ended, with combat-ready ships declining from 166 in 1975 to 66 in 2025, following decades of military spending cuts.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the costly possession when the Rebels let the shot clock expire with 41 seconds left, Thienou surprised her coach by passing up a shot while the crowd was roaring and clearly distracting the visitors.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Redick pointed to Luka Doncic’s season-high 15 assists, which were lost in the noise of the Slovenian star passing up a potential game-winning 3-pointer.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pitchers are allowed two disengagements per plate appearance, either throwing over to first base or stepping off the rubber, or a combination of both.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The zone-heavy Chargers forced Hurts to beat them by throwing over the middle — a region Hurts attacks half as often as his peers — and Hurts was inconsistent.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Catcher Freddy Fermin helped Vásquez out of the second inning by throwing out Ceddanne Rafaela trying to steal second after his leadoff single and a double-play helped Vásquez get out of the fourth inning after Duran’s leadoff single.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Speaking at Polar Park prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the WooSox’s season opener, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was asked about the post.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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