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
Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
The Iran women’s national soccer team was forced to salute and sing its anthem on Thursday ahead of its Women’s Asian Cup group stage match against host Australia, sources close to the team tell CNN Sports, just days after the squad refused to do so in its tournament opener.
—Christina MacFarlane, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including from The Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military from outside the building.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Shelley grew up knowing exactly what happened to women who refused their prescribed role, and hid her most subversive arguments inside a story that looked, on its surface, like a cautionary tale about science.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Young Jesse refused to accept that verdict.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Griffin had refused to sell the home during the development of Overton Square's entertainment district.
—Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Parents of another toddler with low oxygen refused to be transported.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including those from the Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military from outside the building.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
The Iran women’s national soccer team was forced to salute and sing its anthem on Thursday ahead of its Women’s Asian Cup group stage match against host Australia, sources close to the team tell CNN Sports, just days after the squad refused to do so in its tournament opener.
—Christina MacFarlane, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including from The Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military from outside the building.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Shelley grew up knowing exactly what happened to women who refused their prescribed role, and hid her most subversive arguments inside a story that looked, on its surface, like a cautionary tale about science.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Young Jesse refused to accept that verdict.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Griffin had refused to sell the home during the development of Overton Square's entertainment district.
—Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Parents of another toddler with low oxygen refused to be transported.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Verb
-
Ukrainian officials have denied the accusations, saying the pipeline, which feeds refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, was hit in a Russian drone attack.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Iran denied firing a missile at Turkey but has not responded to drones targeting the British base in Cyprus.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown rejected Beverly Hills’ apology after police shut down his private All-Star Weekend event, citing financial and reputational harm.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In Shelley’s novel, the lonely creature demands a romantic companion after he is rejected by humanity.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Township officials also offered assistance during a public meeting to help address those concerns, but the university declined the help, the lawsuit alleges.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Army Corps declined to comment for this article, citing the ongoing lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The forward mix can’t be ignored.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Leaving Polis off the guest list of a recent governors’ dinner at the White House was the latest slap in the face of many that include rescinded federal grants, a vetoed water bill, rejected disaster fund requests, and the loss of two federal agencies.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
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Transparency instead of testing Where the vetoed SB 1047 would have mandated safety testing and kill switches for AI systems, the new law focuses on disclosure.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
That's when a 51-year-old woman driving a Tesla south on Highway 85 struck the Focus, causing both cars to spin and crash into a stopped semi-truck.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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