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
The play is dominated by Lithgow’s towering portrait of the artist as a weary old giant who refuses to concede an inch of ground.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9 is the definitive endgame for anyone who refuses to settle for a standard view.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Does Fritz end up with another lady who refuses to stay head down in the box?
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
When he is asked in Looking for Rachel Wallace, a 1980 novel, to protect the life of an outspoken gay, feminist author—a danger that seemed outrageous at the time but is less shocking now—Spenser flatly refuses to give an unreasonable guarantee.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Our community refuses to remain silent.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
And that is something Netanyahu refuses to even attempt and constantly works to undermine.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
But desire refuses to relinquish its demands.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Others rely on patience, research, and the fact that the ground itself refuses to be reduced to one easy headline.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9 is the definitive endgame for anyone who refuses to settle for a standard view.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Does Fritz end up with another lady who refuses to stay head down in the box?
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
When he is asked in Looking for Rachel Wallace, a 1980 novel, to protect the life of an outspoken gay, feminist author—a danger that seemed outrageous at the time but is less shocking now—Spenser flatly refuses to give an unreasonable guarantee.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Our community refuses to remain silent.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
And that is something Netanyahu refuses to even attempt and constantly works to undermine.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
But desire refuses to relinquish its demands.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
-
OpenAI denies that support emails tell users how to re-register with a new email address after accounts are deactivated.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Pentagon denies any food issues on ships.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In an oppositional reading, the reader understands the dominant ideology expressed in the text but rejects it and interprets the text in an alternative way.—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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And with its bare Instagram presence, Antigone rejects polish for rawness, allowing the strength of its curation to speak for itself.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The book club always politely declines, given its specific chemistry.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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Interest rates don't tell the full story One supposed silver-lining in the economy of 2026 that consumers had been hopeful was still ahead is a lower-rate environment as inflation declines, but the war and the surge in oil prices has upended the policymaking assumptions of central banks.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The suggestion that a single day of civic action meaningfully undermines academic progress ignores the broader challenges students and educators face every day — challenges that often require advocacy to address.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The report ignores antisemitism, said longtime resident Alan Brownstein.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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