as in rejected
Related Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 refused
Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Sojourner Truth refused to be defined by the stereotypes society tried to construct about her.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Biden’s Democratic administration refused to turn over the 2017 recordings and transcripts, leading congressional Republicans to hold his attorney general, Merrick Garland, in contempt.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Aware that passing time can allow new problems to arise, McCarthy's team refused.
—Zak Hudak, CBS News, 19 June 2026
The Federal Reserve gave Wall Street a reality check this week, but the S & P 500 refused to let go of its back-to-back weekly wins.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 19 June 2026
At multiple locations blocks from the Garden, crowds refused numerous verbal commands to disperse, police said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Adjective
Eight were transported to a local hospital and four refused transport.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Verb
One, Sam Hentges, apparently refused to wear it at all, appearing in the traditional cap the Giants wear the other 161 games.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Sojourner Truth refused to be defined by the stereotypes society tried to construct about her.
—Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Biden’s Democratic administration refused to turn over the 2017 recordings and transcripts, leading congressional Republicans to hold his attorney general, Merrick Garland, in contempt.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Aware that passing time can allow new problems to arise, McCarthy's team refused.
—Zak Hudak, CBS News, 19 June 2026
The Federal Reserve gave Wall Street a reality check this week, but the S & P 500 refused to let go of its back-to-back weekly wins.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 19 June 2026
At multiple locations blocks from the Garden, crowds refused numerous verbal commands to disperse, police said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Adjective
-
The vetoed bills aimed to create a regulated retail market, new oversight bodies, public health and equity programs, and a rollout schedule for licensing, regulations, and enforcement.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
-
The vetoed money is just part of the more than $300 million in state spending Kemp blocked to help pay for a significant income tax cut lawmakers passed on the final day of the legislative session.—
David Wickert,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The guilty plea was a stunning reversal for Heuermann who, according to his lawyer, tearfully denied being responsible for the killings after his arrest in 2023.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The court filings said that Roa denied any involvement in the conspiracy.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Officials in Hood County, Texas, for example, rejected a proposal for a six-month moratorium after a state senator urged the Texas attorney general to intervene and prevent the measure.—
Rachel Mural,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
-
New Delhi, however, rejected the claim, insisting the ceasefire was the result of direct bilateral talks with Pakistan.—
Kyra Colah,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.—
Aidin Vaziri,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
For the past five years, Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday, encouraging people across the country to reflect not only on the nation's tangled past with slavery, but the wider legacy of forgotten, ignored and intentionally buried stories about Black America.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Against such seismic personal developments, the simultaneous grown and depletion of White Rock and its environs happen at a far more gradual pace, but don’t go ignored by Choijoovanchig and his patient camera.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
