Synonyms of refuses

refuses

verb

present tense third-person singular of refuse

1

as in denies

to be unwilling to grant

the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denies
• rejects
• declines
• withholds
• disapproves
• disallows
• forbids
• nixes
• prohibits
• keeps
• spurns
• restricts
• enjoins
• vetoes
• negatives
• proscribes
• bans
• restrains
• holds
• repels
• reprobates
• rebuffs
• checks
• represses
• constrains
• hinders
• obstructs
• impedes
• curbs
• balks (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lets
• permits
• allows
• concedes
• provides
• gives
• grants
• affords
• furnishes
• authorizes
• supplies
• acquiesces
• licenses
• agrees (to)
• OKs
• consents (to)
• warrants
• commissions
• assents (to)
• accedes (to)
• accords
• sanctions
• vouchsafes

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

• rejects
• declines
• ignores
• denies
• passes
• forbids
• spurns
• dismisses
• withdraws
• disapproves
• avoids
• repudiates
• vetoes
• nixes
• disputes
• balks (at)
• deselects
• passes up
• turns down
• throws over
• disdains
• scorns
• throws out
• prohibits
• rebuffs
• overrules
• renounces
• reprobates
• retracts
• negatives
• proscribes
• revokes
• disavows
• turns one's back on
• recants
• contradicts
• recalls
• refutes
• abjures
• disclaims
• forswears
• blows off
• disowns
• scouts
• refrains (from)
• sticks
• bypasses
• disproves
• disallows
• reneges
• backtracks
• shoots down
• controverts
• gainsays
• abstains (from)
• negates
• rebuts
• forbears
• disagrees (with)
• takes back
• unsays
• detours
• backs off
• backs down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepts
• approves
• agrees (to)
• receives
• takes
• tolerates
• agrees
• adopts
• embraces
• welcomes
• swallows
• condones
• chooses
• consents
• acquiesces
• selects
• assents
• supports
• countenances
• accedes
• espouses
• handpicks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refuses

In the event that Bally’s refuses to respond with full candor and information, the City Council may need to consider options up to and including suspending the Bally’s license. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The channel, which is banned inside Iran, refuses to disclose its private donors. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Surf, sail and pick up padel For every traveler who wants to kick back and relax on their vacation, there’s another who refuses to sit still. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

Inside Southwest Trading Company, however, David Bible refuses to sell anything bearing the highway’s logo. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Time, at 3 am, to watch a mother polar bear and her two cubs feeding beneath a sun that refuses to set. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Frightened that she may be plagued by the same mental illness that felled her mom, Gemma stubbornly refuses to believe anything is wrong. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Red Dead Redemption 2 Ultimate Edition Red Dead Redemption 2 is the kind of game that refuses to rush you. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

In the series, Kevin's owners divorce, and Kevin refuses to take a side, leading him to a pet rescue with odd and hilarious side quests. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026