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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refuses
As a guy who is simply not built for summer (sweaty, burns easily, refuses to wear shorts), the turning of the calendar to September adds a little lead to my tread, with visions of cider and sweaters dancing in my head.
—
James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
And even though the military is short of manpower, the government refuses to draft ultra-orthodox men, whose religious political parties are key to the Netanyahu coalition.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Her son in the film deliberately refuses to speak English with her, using language as a weapon.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
In the past, discharge petitions have often been used as a tool of the minority when bringing up a bill with bipartisan support when the party in leadership refuses to schedule a vote on the issue.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Still, the White House refuses to coordinate with local law enforcement, Pritzker said this week, saying cooperation is a necessary step for fighting crime.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The pop singer has been building an audience the slow way — by touring, with a handful of undeniable singles, and thanks to an album that refuses to fade in popularity.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And Sinatra comes in and refuses to do much of the dancing.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
And even though the military is short of manpower, the government refuses to draft ultra-orthodox men, whose religious political parties are key to the Netanyahu coalition.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Her son in the film deliberately refuses to speak English with her, using language as a weapon.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
In the past, discharge petitions have often been used as a tool of the minority when bringing up a bill with bipartisan support when the party in leadership refuses to schedule a vote on the issue.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Still, the White House refuses to coordinate with local law enforcement, Pritzker said this week, saying cooperation is a necessary step for fighting crime.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The pop singer has been building an audience the slow way — by touring, with a handful of undeniable singles, and thanks to an album that refuses to fade in popularity.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
And Sinatra comes in and refuses to do much of the dancing.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
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Tim Gilman, a spokesperson for Oshkosh Corporation, which makes Pierce fire trucks, said the company denies the lawsuit's claims.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The president denies any wrongdoing related to his relationship with Epstein.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The seeds of bombs planted by soldiers long gone remain dormant but alive just beneath the surface and yet the land rejects them every day.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Hermlin rejects that characterization.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
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Then the real value of dollars, meaning their purchasing power, declines.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Beijing’s strategy ignores a crucial fact about the Dalai Lama’s role in the Tibetan freedom struggle.—
Tenzin Dorjee,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
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Not to mention this ruling ignores the fact that this land has already been developed for a decade.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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