Synonyms of refused

refused 1 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
• legal
• legitimate
• lawful
• certified
• licensed
• tolerable
• OK
• bearable
• granted
• accredited
• warranted
• endurable
• sanctioned
• supported
• promoted
• commanded
• encouraged
• sufferable
• required
• ordered
• mandatory
• suitable
• proper
• vouchsafed
• accorded
• tolerated
• condoned
• countenanced
• brooked
• unobjectionable
• seemly

refused

2 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
• vetoed
• nixed
• prohibited
• kept
• restricted
• banned
• negatived
• enjoined
• reprobated
• rebuffed
• spurned
• proscribed
• restrained
• checked
• repelled
• constrained
• held
• impeded
• hindered
• curbed
• obstructed
• repressed
• balked (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allowed
• let
• permitted
• granted
• provided
• conceded
• gave
• supplied
• afforded
• furnished
• authorized
• commissioned
• licensed
• acquiesced
• agreed (to)
• warranted
• consented (to)
• sanctioned
• accorded
• OK'd
• assented (to)
• 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
• avoided
• spurned
• disapproved
• disputed
• nixed
• repudiated
• balked (at)
• turned down
• deselected
• passed up
• threw over
• threw out
• reprobated
• negatived
• overruled
• rebuffed
• disdained
• prohibited
• scorned
• scouted
• retracted
• renounced
• 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
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refused

Adjective

Eight were transported to a local hospital and four refused transport. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Verb

The former special counsel also cited former Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to go along with a plan to overturn the results of the 2020 election by rejecting the electoral votes of battleground states that Biden won. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Botner testified that Flynn repeatedly refused to leave his wife to be with her, straining their relationship. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

And what if, having been shown the error of their ways, the unorthodox individuals refused to change? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Alito previously refused to step off the case after the Supreme Court accepted it for consideration earlier this year. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

But e-commerce juggernaut Amazon refused to play ball with Meta. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Many refused to leave after Saturday’s march and pitched tents in Puerta del Sol for the night. — Alicia León, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Amodei had refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used for mass surveillance or autonomous armed drones. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

But while making an unsuccessful 2024 Senate bid, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press editorial board, Rogers refused to answer who won the presidential contest in 2020. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026