Synonyms of refused

refused 1 of 2

verb

past tense of refuse

1

as in denied

to be unwilling to grant

the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denied
• rejected
• declined
• withheld
• disallowed
• disapproved
• forbade
• nixed
• vetoed
• negatived
• prohibited
• kept
• restricted
• banned
• reprobated
• enjoined
• rebuffed
• spurned
• proscribed
• restrained
• checked
• forbad
• repelled
• constrained
• held
• impeded
• hindered
• curbed
• obstructed
• repressed
• balked (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allowed
• let
• permitted
• granted
• provided
• conceded
• gave
• supplied
• afforded
• furnished
• authorized
• okayed
• commissioned
• licensed
• acquiesced
• agreed (to)
• warranted
• consented (to)
• sanctioned
• assented (to)
• accorded
• OK'd
• licenced
• acceded (to)
• vouchsafed

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

• rejected
• declined
• denied
• ignored
• passed
• vetoed
• withdrew
• dismissed
• forbade
• spurned
• avoided
• disapproved
• disputed
• nixed
• repudiated
• balked (at)
• turned down
• deselected
• passed up
• threw over
• threw out
• reprobated
• negatived
• overruled
• rebuffed
• disdained
• prohibited
• forbad
• scorned
• retracted
• renounced
• scouted
• revoked
• recalled
• turned one's back on
• proscribed
• forbore
• contradicted
• disavowed
• recanted
• disclaimed
• blew off
• refrained (from)
• refuted
• shot down
• abjured
• stuck
• abstained (from)
• took back
• gainsaid
• foreswore
• disowned
• bypassed
• disallowed
• forswore
• reneged
• rebutted
• disproved
• detoured
• backtracked
• controverted
• disagreed (with)
• negated
• backed off
• unsaid
• backed down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepted
• approved
• agreed (to)
• received
• took
• adopted
• agreed
• tolerated
• swallowed
• welcomed
• embraced
• consented
• acquiesced
• chose
• selected
• condoned
• countenanced
• supported
• acceded
• assented
• espoused
• handpicked

refused

2 of 2

adjective

as in rejected

Related Words

• rejected
• revoked
• vetoed
• stopped
• disallowed
• discouraged
• prevented
• suppressed
• excluded
• repressed
• precluded
• disapproved
• unsanctioned
• objectionable
• unsuitable
• blocked
• shut out
• hindered
• unseemly
• improper
• inappropriate
• unauthorized
• ruled out
• obstructed
• ineffable
• illicit
• illegal
• impeded
• unmentionable
• unlawful
• unlicensed
• illegitimate

Dissimilar Words

• permitted
• permissible
• acceptable
• allowable
• appropriate
• permissive
• authorized
• accepted
• endorsed
• allowed
• approved
• okay
• legal
• legitimate
• lawful
• certified
• licensed
• tolerable
• OK
• bearable
• granted
• accredited
• warranted
• endurable
• sanctioned
• supported
• promoted
• commanded
• encouraged
• sufferable
• required
• indorsed
• ordered
• mandatory
• suitable
• proper
• vouchsafed
• accorded
• tolerated
• condoned
• countenanced
• brooked
• unobjectionable
• seemly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refused

Adjective

In one practice, McCarthy refused to throw an easy short pass and opted instead to throw a deeper-developing route. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

While there was plenty of blame to go around following the Giants' 21-6 loss, head coach Brian Daboll seemingly refused to point the finger at Wilson despite his underwhelming performance. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Shakur, who had gotten an advance from Interscope Records, needed more money, but Interscope refused to give him any. —Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025

But their hopes of forming a minority government collapsed when Macron refused to accept their choice of prime minister. —Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025

Cyclo provocations In the 1970s, the group’s longest-running cyclodrama was when activists carried bulky items onto Montreal’s metro—a ladder, skis, a papier-mâché hippopotamus—while those with less bulky bicycles were refused access. —Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Nor does the Love Actually star plan a viewing, because Nighy, admitting to crippling bouts of screen fright, has long refused to view any of his performances, alone or alongside audiences. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025

Invited to pose for a photo with lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday police refused. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

The president has proposed purchasing the island and refused to rule out taking military action to take control of it. —Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025