as in rejected
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in denied
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declined
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refused
Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
That year’s Republican National Convention filled its programming with second-raters (Scott Baio gave a prime-time speech), while Ted Cruz and other speakers refused to endorse Trump onstage; National Review famously published a special issue denouncing him.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
In the wake of Paul and Mortensen's ongoing legal battle, multiple sources also confirmed to PEOPLE in March that production had paused for the fifth season of Mormon Wives after Paul's fellow cast members refused to film with her.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Saiyub refused to abandon his friend.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
StubHub has refused to issue a refund.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
The Times and an array of outlets, including the major broadcast and cable networks, as well as entities including NPR and Newsmax, refused to sign.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspect initially survived the crash and refused to exit his vehicle and the Riverside Sheriff’s crisis negotiation team responded to the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni refused to let the United States use an air base in Sicily to launch attacks on Iran.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Orbán, who refused to sever Hungary’s ties to Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly obstructed European efforts to aid Kyiv.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
That year’s Republican National Convention filled its programming with second-raters (Scott Baio gave a prime-time speech), while Ted Cruz and other speakers refused to endorse Trump onstage; National Review famously published a special issue denouncing him.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
In the wake of Paul and Mortensen's ongoing legal battle, multiple sources also confirmed to PEOPLE in March that production had paused for the fifth season of Mormon Wives after Paul's fellow cast members refused to film with her.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Saiyub refused to abandon his friend.
—Diaa Hadid, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
StubHub has refused to issue a refund.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
The Times and an array of outlets, including the major broadcast and cable networks, as well as entities including NPR and Newsmax, refused to sign.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspect initially survived the crash and refused to exit his vehicle and the Riverside Sheriff’s crisis negotiation team responded to the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni refused to let the United States use an air base in Sicily to launch attacks on Iran.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Verb
-
Kaley denied being abused or neglected, though Meta’s attorneys did show some Instagram posts about her mother screaming at her.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Other nearby properties, including the Cushman School, denied access for groundwater testing, according to Department of Environmental Protection documents.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The government has rejected calls to give bereaved families more time to pay.—
Marc Shoffman,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The government rejected any restrictions, citing national security.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In some places, fish catches declined precipitously in medium depths, which Joye attributes to nutritionally barren conditions.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At first, Orbán ignored Magyar.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has been angry that NATO member countries ignored his call to help reopen the vital waterway as gas prices soared during the war.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leaving Polis off the guest list of a recent governors’ dinner at the White House was the latest slap in the face of many that include rescinded federal grants, a vetoed water bill, rejected disaster fund requests, and the loss of two federal agencies.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Transparency instead of testing Where the vetoed SB 1047 would have mandated safety testing and kill switches for AI systems, the new law focuses on disclosure.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.—
Aidin Vaziri,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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