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
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
But both Mamdani and his police commissioner have repeatedly refused to discuss the nature of the event — angering some nearby business owners and raising questions about the use of public resources to cover private security.
—
Jake Offenhartz,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
Republicans on the committee have so far refused to conduct any oversight on the issue, despite Democrats raising concerns at previous hearings.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
2 July 2026
Those injured were transported to the hospital in the town of Worcester, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Cape Town, while at least 43 passengers refused any medical treatment.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The ruling has long been criticized as out of step with basic understandings of the law, and the court later refused to extend the exemption to other sports, including football, basketball and boxing.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 July 2026
When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
The California-specific tax — a one-time, 5% levy on billionaires' total wealth — is advancing to the ballot after the healthcare-workers' union pushing the measure refused to withdraw it by a Thursday deadline.
—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Pitt sought to depose Stoli executive Alexey Oliynik in June 2025; Jolie's lawyers say Oliynik has refused to turn over documents or appear for a deposition, claiming he cannot be compelled as a Swiss resident.
—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Adjective
Eight were transported to a local hospital and four refused transport.
—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
He's refused to sign the bipartisan legislation until Congress passes a voting restrictions bill called the SAVE America Act.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
But both Mamdani and his police commissioner have repeatedly refused to discuss the nature of the event — angering some nearby business owners and raising questions about the use of public resources to cover private security.
—
Jake Offenhartz,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
Republicans on the committee have so far refused to conduct any oversight on the issue, despite Democrats raising concerns at previous hearings.
—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
2 July 2026
Those injured were transported to the hospital in the town of Worcester, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Cape Town, while at least 43 passengers refused any medical treatment.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The ruling has long been criticized as out of step with basic understandings of the law, and the court later refused to extend the exemption to other sports, including football, basketball and boxing.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 July 2026
When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
The California-specific tax — a one-time, 5% levy on billionaires' total wealth — is advancing to the ballot after the healthcare-workers' union pushing the measure refused to withdraw it by a Thursday deadline.
—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Pitt sought to depose Stoli executive Alexey Oliynik in June 2025; Jolie's lawyers say Oliynik has refused to turn over documents or appear for a deposition, claiming he cannot be compelled as a Swiss resident.
—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Adjective
-
The vetoed bills aimed to create a regulated retail market, new oversight bodies, public health and equity programs, and a rollout schedule for licensing, regulations, and enforcement.
-
The vetoed money is just part of the more than $300 million in state spending Kemp blocked to help pay for a significant income tax cut lawmakers passed on the final day of the legislative session.
Verb
-
Then multiple states filed lawsuits alleging the agency failed to conduct proper environmental reviews, which DHS denied.
-
The band had been denied the opportunity to perform during Haiti’s pre-World Cup friendly against Peru, despite the presence of a Peruvian band.
Verb
-
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors rejected those findings.
-
In May, the EEOC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times alleging discrimination against a white male employee, which the Times has rejected as politically motivated.
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.
-
The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.
Verb
-
District officials declined to provide the correspondence with Carvalho, instead assigning the request to the district’s Public Records Act unit, where some requests for records have taken years to resolve.
-
The public prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the case when reached by CNN.
Verb
-
After years of exam leaks, persistently high youth unemployment, and opportunities slipping further out of reach, their simmering frustration is sparking a demand for accountability that many say can no longer be ignored.
-
Several states and agencies also charge for rescues, particularly when visitors have ignored warning signs.
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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