Synonyms of refused

refused 1 of 2

verb

past tense of refuse

1

as in denied

to be unwilling to grant

the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denied
• rejected
• declined
• withheld
• disallowed
• disapproved
• forbade
• nixed
• vetoed
• negatived
• prohibited
• kept
• restricted
• banned
• reprobated
• enjoined
• rebuffed
• spurned
• proscribed
• restrained
• checked
• forbad
• repelled
• constrained
• held
• impeded
• hindered
• curbed
• obstructed
• repressed
• balked (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allowed
• let
• permitted
• granted
• provided
• conceded
• gave
• supplied
• afforded
• furnished
• authorized
• okayed
• commissioned
• licensed
• acquiesced
• agreed (to)
• warranted
• consented (to)
• sanctioned
• assented (to)
• accorded
• OK'd
• licenced
• acceded (to)
• vouchsafed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rejected
• declined
• denied
• ignored
• passed
• vetoed
• withdrew
• dismissed
• forbade
• spurned
• avoided
• disapproved
• disputed
• nixed
• repudiated
• balked (at)
• turned down
• deselected
• passed up
• threw over
• threw out
• reprobated
• negatived
• overruled
• rebuffed
• disdained
• prohibited
• forbad
• scorned
• retracted
• renounced
• scouted
• revoked
• recalled
• turned one's back on
• proscribed
• forbore
• contradicted
• disavowed
• recanted
• disclaimed
• blew off
• refrained (from)
• refuted
• shot down
• abjured
• stuck
• abstained (from)
• took back
• gainsaid
• foreswore
• disowned
• bypassed
• disallowed
• forswore
• reneged
• rebutted
• disproved
• detoured
• backtracked
• controverted
• disagreed (with)
• negated
• backed off
• unsaid
• backed down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepted
• approved
• agreed (to)
• received
• took
• adopted
• agreed
• tolerated
• swallowed
• welcomed
• embraced
• consented
• acquiesced
• chose
• selected
• condoned
• countenanced
• supported
• acceded
• assented
• espoused
• handpicked

refused

2 of 2

adjective

as in rejected

Related Words

• rejected
• revoked
• vetoed
• stopped
• disallowed
• discouraged
• prevented
• suppressed
• excluded
• repressed
• precluded
• disapproved
• unsanctioned
• objectionable
• unsuitable
• blocked
• shut out
• hindered
• unseemly
• improper
• inappropriate
• unauthorized
• ruled out
• obstructed
• ineffable
• illicit
• illegal
• impeded
• unmentionable
• unlawful
• unlicensed
• illegitimate

Dissimilar Words

• permitted
• permissible
• acceptable
• allowable
• appropriate
• permissive
• authorized
• accepted
• endorsed
• allowed
• approved
• okay
• legal
• legitimate
• lawful
• certified
• licensed
• tolerable
• OK
• bearable
• granted
• accredited
• warranted
• endurable
• sanctioned
• supported
• promoted
• commanded
• encouraged
• sufferable
• required
• indorsed
• ordered
• mandatory
• suitable
• proper
• vouchsafed
• accorded
• tolerated
• condoned
• countenanced
• brooked
• unobjectionable
• seemly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refused

Adjective

But the friendship fell apart earlier this year when Farage refused to echo Musk’s support for Robinson, the founder of the now-defunct anti-immigration English Defence League (EDL), who was previously jailed for being in contempt of court by repeating false accusations about a Syrian refugee. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025

After handling raw chicken, an employee refused to wash his hands in the handwashing sink, instead of the prep sink. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025

As with Kuwait, the Reagan administration refused. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Past attempts at modeling could not capture all these extremes at once, and so the tachocline stubbornly refused to appear in simulations. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025

Robinson refused at first, but then changed his mind, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. —Arkansas Online, 13 Sep. 2025

Members of the European Parliament dramatically refused a request to honor Charlie Kirk with a a moment of silence in the chamber Thursday. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Robinson refused at first, but then changed his mind, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. —Eric Tucker, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025

While there was plenty of blame to go around following the Giants' 21-6 loss, head coach Brian Daboll seemingly refused to point the finger at Wilson despite his underwhelming performance. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025