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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refused
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Sojourner Truth refused to be defined by the stereotypes society tried to construct about her.
—
Jocelyn Frye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
Biden’s Democratic administration refused to turn over the 2017 recordings and transcripts, leading congressional Republicans to hold his attorney general, Merrick Garland, in contempt.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Aware that passing time can allow new problems to arise, McCarthy's team refused.
—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
The Federal Reserve gave Wall Street a reality check this week, but the S & P 500 refused to let go of its back-to-back weekly wins.
—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
At multiple locations blocks from the Garden, crowds refused numerous verbal commands to disperse, police said.
—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
Eight were transported to a local hospital and four refused transport.
—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
One, Sam Hentges, apparently refused to wear it at all, appearing in the traditional cap the Giants wear the other 161 games.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Sojourner Truth refused to be defined by the stereotypes society tried to construct about her.
—
Jocelyn Frye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
Biden’s Democratic administration refused to turn over the 2017 recordings and transcripts, leading congressional Republicans to hold his attorney general, Merrick Garland, in contempt.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Aware that passing time can allow new problems to arise, McCarthy's team refused.
—
Zak Hudak,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
The Federal Reserve gave Wall Street a reality check this week, but the S & P 500 refused to let go of its back-to-back weekly wins.
—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
At multiple locations blocks from the Garden, crowds refused numerous verbal commands to disperse, police said.
—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 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
-
Indigenous groups protested the last time Mount Rushmore hosted a fireworks display, and former President Joe Biden's administration rejected subsequent attempts to have fireworks at the national monument.
-
Judge Sullivan rejected the DOJ's arguments against releasing the materials and concluded that the Public Integrity Project, a public interest law firm, demonstrated that independent journalist Katie Phang was harmed by the materials being withheld.
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
-
The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.
-
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
Verb
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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 27 Jun. 2026.
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