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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of refused
Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Even after numerous prompt adjustments and desperate rephrasings, that feeling of the previous weeks’ intimate interactions refused to return.
—Jon Michael Varese, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2025
After her ejection, the Lynx head coach refused to leave the court in a reasonable timeframe.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Crews used shallow water entry to rescue the two people, who refused to be taken to the hospital, Johnson said.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 28 Sep. 2025
South African products were pulled from grocery stores in the West, campaigners urged divestment and bank exits, and many musicians refused to play in the apartheid state.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
With an athlete’s discipline, Blass refused to let his pitching darken his mood at home.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Jenkins, however, refused to be boxed in.
—John Armwood Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in the interview, the princess reflected on her parenting, but refused to delve into her children’s personal lives, particularly her daughter Caroline’s 1980 divorce from Philippe Junot.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The parties have been in a standoff for days as Democrats, namely in the Senate, have refused to offer the necessary votes to pass a funding measure that would keep the government open beyond Tuesday.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Even after numerous prompt adjustments and desperate rephrasings, that feeling of the previous weeks’ intimate interactions refused to return.
—Jon Michael Varese, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2025
After her ejection, the Lynx head coach refused to leave the court in a reasonable timeframe.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Crews used shallow water entry to rescue the two people, who refused to be taken to the hospital, Johnson said.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 28 Sep. 2025
South African products were pulled from grocery stores in the West, campaigners urged divestment and bank exits, and many musicians refused to play in the apartheid state.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
With an athlete’s discipline, Blass refused to let his pitching darken his mood at home.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Jenkins, however, refused to be boxed in.
—John Armwood Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere in the interview, the princess reflected on her parenting, but refused to delve into her children’s personal lives, particularly her daughter Caroline’s 1980 divorce from Philippe Junot.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Verb
-
Black delivered that report before the management committee of EXXON, who purposefully buried those conclusions and continued to fund lobbyists, think tanks, and politicians who vociferously denied the reality of anthropogenic climate change.—
Ed Simon
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In 2022, Spacey denied the allegations and was found not liable in a civil trial due to insufficient evidence.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the time, Bailey denied claims that the film was initially rejected due to censorship but rather footage clearance and security concerns.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
27 Sep. 2025
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But his grades had been mediocre, and he was rejected right and left, which neither fazed nor surprised him.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office also declined to answer whether deputies assisted in the operation.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Mortgage rates have been coming down, but there has yet to be a spike in homebuying activity—and one leading indicator has even declined.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Great Again hats and T-shirts emblazoned with Kirk’s face, ignored the registration queries and continued chatting with friends.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Although the federal law raising the tobacco purchase age to 21 took effect in 2019, many retailers either ignored the regulation or failed to check buyers’ ages.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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