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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refuses
Many Democrats have adopted a more brash and confrontational style of politics, which refuses to keep anything quiet.
—
Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson fits a generation’s worth of cineplex joys into One Battle After Another, but the revolution refuses to get off the couch.
—Jonathan Lethem, The New York Review of Books, 30 Oct. 2025
But naturally, Meredith can see right through this plan and refuses to get dragged into this mess — especially when Lisa is already starting to break down at the thought of Meredith not defending her.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
But the family refuses to believe she is gone.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … NO APOLOGIES – Jean-Pierre stands firm, refuses to 'take anything back' as WH press secretary.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Officers tell Bill and Sharon Walker to back away from the vehicle, and when Bill Walker refuses to move, the officers place him on the hood of the vehicle and handcuff him.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
Terry refuses to accept his older brother Charlie’s attempt to blame someone else for Terry’s failed boxing career.
—Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Selma Blair refuses to sugarcoat what life with multiple sclerosis looks like.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2025
Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson fits a generation’s worth of cineplex joys into One Battle After Another, but the revolution refuses to get off the couch.
—Jonathan Lethem, The New York Review of Books, 30 Oct. 2025
But naturally, Meredith can see right through this plan and refuses to get dragged into this mess — especially when Lisa is already starting to break down at the thought of Meredith not defending her.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
But the family refuses to believe she is gone.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … NO APOLOGIES – Jean-Pierre stands firm, refuses to 'take anything back' as WH press secretary.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Officers tell Bill and Sharon Walker to back away from the vehicle, and when Bill Walker refuses to move, the officers place him on the hood of the vehicle and handcuff him.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
Terry refuses to accept his older brother Charlie’s attempt to blame someone else for Terry’s failed boxing career.
—Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Selma Blair refuses to sugarcoat what life with multiple sclerosis looks like.
—Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
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Ali reiterates her concerns that Anton was different in the pods and denies that his job or ambition were factors in her decision.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Despite his reputation as a womanizer, the former King denies the affair in his memoir.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cooper made a film that rejects the conventions of its genre, that is unafraid to be slow and patient in the telling of its narrative, and that wasn’t made to appeal to everyone immediately upon release.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
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The October court order rejects the Department of Education’s motion to dismiss the case and blocks the administration from implementing the discontinuation against nearly 50 grantees across the country while the lawsuit continues.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Moderating declines at Vans suggest that the brand’s overhaul is taking shape.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
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If the player declines the qualifying offer, his previous team is entitled to an extra draft pick as compensation.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If a film ignores the author and the core fans, there’s no chance.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
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Yet that argument ignores the fact that labor markets are a function of both supply and demand, both of which are positively affected by people.—
Ben Zweig,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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