1
as in denies
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 rejects
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
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Recent Examples of refuses
Like many of the people camped outside their families’ homes in Venezuela, Mendoza refuses to believe they are gone until the last moment possible.
—
Isa Soares,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
The result is heat that builds, amplifies and refuses to break, often setting records on the way.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
And yet something essential about Darcy refuses to become obsolete.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
The video shows two uniformed people coming into the polling place and talking briefly with Gonyea, who refuses to sign a warning letter.
—
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Languedoc refuses to fit into a single box.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
David refuses, and Wallace tries again.
—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
What if Israel, citing the need for its own self-defense, keeps launching strikes within Lebanon, or refuses to rescind its control of nearly one-fifth of Lebanon’s territory?
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
But Moscow also refuses to reimburse them.
—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Isa Soares,
CNN Money,
1 July 2026
The result is heat that builds, amplifies and refuses to break, often setting records on the way.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
And yet something essential about Darcy refuses to become obsolete.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
The video shows two uniformed people coming into the polling place and talking briefly with Gonyea, who refuses to sign a warning letter.
—
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Languedoc refuses to fit into a single box.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
David refuses, and Wallace tries again.
—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
What if Israel, citing the need for its own self-defense, keeps launching strikes within Lebanon, or refuses to rescind its control of nearly one-fifth of Lebanon’s territory?
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
But Moscow also refuses to reimburse them.
—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
-
Lozano denies mass immigration fraud Angelo Calfo, an attorney representing Lozano, said clients were expected to review their applications before signing and blamed them for any false statements.
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Israel, founded in the wake of the Holocaust, denies the accusations.
Verb
-
The final budget agreement rejects a call by Newsom to lower the asset limit to $2,000 now and instead lowers it to $21,000 in 2027-28 to be eligible for Medi-Cal.
-
Kenzie completely rejects Corbin’s because Corbin, having disrespected her, is now dead to her.
Verb
-
Economists have warned that the revenue bump is potentially temporary and analysts say the growth in state spending could leave California in a challenging position if the economy declines.
-
For Markiplier, the last few months have been a study in what happens when a creator with 36 million subscribers walks through Hollywood’s front door and declines to become its creature.
Verb
-
Stating that Palestinians are entitled to a country of their own ignores the facts.
-
With the job’s high salary, live-in accommodations and her love of children on her mind, Layla ignores Jasmine’s concerns and drives to the family’s estate to meet Zuri.
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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