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
Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 12 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
One former employee recalls a particularly telling anecdote from when Earle was on her way out of the company and refused to participate in an event.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
The renaming prompted a series of boycotts as several prominent artists and groups refused to perform at the center.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
On Interstate 5, the car drove at speeds exceeding 90 mph, and the driver refused to yield to the officers with their lights on behind her.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
But Ayush refused to pay him because the misspelled word wouldn’t promote the memecoin.
—T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
While the woman refused medical attention at the airport, she was taken to Southern Regional to receive treatment for her cut.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
Eight were transported to a local hospital and four refused transport.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Verb
The British newspaper reported that Hockney is believed to have turned down a knighthood on several occasions and is said to have once refused an invitation to paint the late Queen Elizabeth.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 12 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
One former employee recalls a particularly telling anecdote from when Earle was on her way out of the company and refused to participate in an event.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
The renaming prompted a series of boycotts as several prominent artists and groups refused to perform at the center.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
On Interstate 5, the car drove at speeds exceeding 90 mph, and the driver refused to yield to the officers with their lights on behind her.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
But Ayush refused to pay him because the misspelled word wouldn’t promote the memecoin.
—T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
While the woman refused medical attention at the airport, she was taken to Southern Regional to receive treatment for her cut.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 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.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
-
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.—
David Wickert,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
But ever since Hay filed his civil suit against Combs, the musician’s attorneys have fiercely denied his allegations.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Boats arriving from Haiti’s seaports will soon be required to operate under enhanced security measures or risk being denied entry into the United States.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
In May 2023, Quiñones rejected a call-up to the national team, however, and began playing for Mexico later that year.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
But initial attempts to send her to Tahiti, a French dependency, about 1,350 miles — or a 30-hour sea journey — from Pitcairn, were rejected by French Polynesian authorities.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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
Verb
-
Those who declined frequently faced intense criticism from media outlets and activists.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Major events such as Hamilton and an Issa Rae show were swiftly canceled, staff departures staggered departments and drained the organization of expertise, and ticket sales drastically declined.—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The controversy surrounding the transition blush technique is just another example of how easily, in many different fields and industries, Black women’s contributions go ignored, overlooked and erased.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Educators play a crucial role in our society, and the affordability crisis among America’s teachers can no longer be ignored.—
Randi Weingarten,
Time,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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