as in rejections
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refusals
Roberts’s votes in recent years—such as his decision to deny review in cases involving service refusals—suggest a preference to limit rather than undo .
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Two cases about the passport refusals eventually made their way to the Supreme Court.
—Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Instead, Gazan leadership fell into refusals and delays without any coherent strategy.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Legal experts say a clear trend is forming due to the number of refusals to indict in such a short time.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Durov was forced out as CEO in 2014 after several arguments with the Russian state over censorship and refusals to hand over user data.
—Ryan Hogg, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The researchers tested 3,840 AI query-response pairs across 480 participants, comparing direct refusals, explanations, redirection, partial compliance and full compliance.
—Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Two cases about the passport refusals eventually made their way to the Supreme Court.
—Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Instead, Gazan leadership fell into refusals and delays without any coherent strategy.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Legal experts say a clear trend is forming due to the number of refusals to indict in such a short time.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Durov was forced out as CEO in 2014 after several arguments with the Russian state over censorship and refusals to hand over user data.
—Ryan Hogg, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The researchers tested 3,840 AI query-response pairs across 480 participants, comparing direct refusals, explanations, redirection, partial compliance and full compliance.
—Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusals
Noun
-
After numerous rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned deadly.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
-
One year later, that same propaganda fell flat with voters in numerous key races — rejections not only of the GOP’s virulent transphobia, but rhetoric from centrist Democrats who blamed trans rights issues for the party’s losses.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Neither is convinced by Nixon’s denials of wrongdoing during Watergate.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Shortly afterward, Andrew stepped down from public life over his association with Epstein, despite his denials of wrongdoing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusals. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share