1
as in denies
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rejects
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 refuses
Unlike many artists who separate those worlds, Sierota refuses to see them as competing forces.
—
Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
But Googoosh, now 75, refuses to be silenced.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Then refuses to show up for family events.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
But Judaism also refuses to equate self-protection with emotional petrification.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
And now, the FBI refuses to cooperate with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on the grounds that the federal government is the supreme agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The site refuses to disclose its ownership or funding but appears to be linked to conservative groups including the Lincoln Club of Orange County.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
When Jonah refuses to sign on to the new direction, Whitney starts making unilateral moves.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues—patient and nurse safety.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
But Googoosh, now 75, refuses to be silenced.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Then refuses to show up for family events.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
But Judaism also refuses to equate self-protection with emotional petrification.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
And now, the FBI refuses to cooperate with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on the grounds that the federal government is the supreme agency.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The site refuses to disclose its ownership or funding but appears to be linked to conservative groups including the Lincoln Club of Orange County.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
When Jonah refuses to sign on to the new direction, Whitney starts making unilateral moves.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues—patient and nurse safety.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
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The federal determination highlights how permitting males to compete on female teams displaces female athletes from podiums, denies them advancement opportunities, and diminishes their visibility and recognition in competitions.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Verse’s desk is in front of Young’s in the room, and one day when Verse leaned back his hood allegedly dragged across Young’s desktop, an accusation that Verse still denies.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari rejects claims that Riyadh is drifting ideologically or embracing Islamist movements, framing Saudi policy as interest-driven.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Tensions rise when Nora, a stage actress, rejects Gustav's offer to star in his comeback film and is forced to confront her feelings toward her estranged father.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Conversely, declines in the short-term interest rate partially mitigated the overall rise in payments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
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That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Don DeWitte,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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