1
as in denied
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rejected
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refused
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
The civil lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges Blain has refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and has deleted public records from those same sources and asked others to delete messages from him.
—Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Warriors veteran Draymond Green, no stranger to sharing his opinion, refused to feign outrage the day before over the possible role that the NBA’s partnership with sportsbooks could have had on the scandal that involved both Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
At least three former Eastern Michigan men's basketball players refused to cooperate with the NCAA's investigation into questionable sports betting activities, the governing body of college athletics announced Friday.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Trump has refused to meet with Democratic congressional leaders throughout the nearly four-week shutdown, the second longest shutdown in United States history.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Russell has been so underwhelming that head coach Jason Kidd has refused to start him, playing him limited bench minutes in favor of starting 6-foot-10 rookie forward Cooper Flagg at the point.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Through more than a decade of running a business and raising a son, Whebbe and Paoli refused to give up on getting the Book Lady’s books into the hands of people who will love them.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Vrabel has refused to take the bait when asked this week about the revenge factor.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Following a conversation with Sanders and Adams, CPS told the officers to release the boy to Adams, who had refused to provide the couple’s new address.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
The civil lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges Blain has refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and has deleted public records from those same sources and asked others to delete messages from him.
—Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Warriors veteran Draymond Green, no stranger to sharing his opinion, refused to feign outrage the day before over the possible role that the NBA’s partnership with sportsbooks could have had on the scandal that involved both Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
At least three former Eastern Michigan men's basketball players refused to cooperate with the NCAA's investigation into questionable sports betting activities, the governing body of college athletics announced Friday.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Trump has refused to meet with Democratic congressional leaders throughout the nearly four-week shutdown, the second longest shutdown in United States history.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Russell has been so underwhelming that head coach Jason Kidd has refused to start him, playing him limited bench minutes in favor of starting 6-foot-10 rookie forward Cooper Flagg at the point.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Through more than a decade of running a business and raising a son, Whebbe and Paoli refused to give up on getting the Book Lady’s books into the hands of people who will love them.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Vrabel has refused to take the bait when asked this week about the revenge factor.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Verb
-
The 29-year-old denied former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun three times in the first half.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
David denied the allegations at the time.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Russia’s Defense Ministry has rejected the Lithuanian claims and said its Su-30 fighter jets conducted training flights over the Kaliningrad region in strict compliance with the rules, not violating the borders of any other states.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Texas lawmakers rejected both the Smithsonian's cost estimates of transporting Discovery and the museum's legal claim of ownership.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Clark declined to comment when asked if some smaller-market clubs bring in more money than large-market clubs.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Through Hobbs, the farmer declined an interview.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a separate statement to Whittier Daily News, Rowley claimed that the city had ignored complaints about upraised sidewalks caused by tree roots for years, and stated the city had not implemented adequate inspection protocols.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Kim Kardashian's refusal to watch Fatal Attraction is not going to be ignored by Kris Jenner, thank you very much!—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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