1
as in denies
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Walk away from any firm that promises full removal of true and lawful content, offers to buy fake reviews, refuses to disclose its methods, demands long lock-in contracts without performance terms, or cannot point to verifiable third-party recognition.
—
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 June 2026
But Ruth refuses to go quietly into the dark-and-stormy night.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
At the film’s aching core is the romantic tether between the boys that refuses to die even in the face of gory attacks, painful betrayals and even uncertainty among the two of them.
—Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
What the performance-lecture attempts, in a format that mirrors the direct address of contemporary communication, is a demystification of a medium that often refuses to behave as a commodity that can stand alone and represent the artist.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
But the cowgirl refuses to believe Bonnie’s new tech fixation is more than just a phase.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
It is lit with joy, with purpose, with a fierce kind of love that refuses to dim.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The airline still refuses to reimburse your Virgin Australia tickets.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
And law enforcement refuses to investigate it.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 June 2026
But Ruth refuses to go quietly into the dark-and-stormy night.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
At the film’s aching core is the romantic tether between the boys that refuses to die even in the face of gory attacks, painful betrayals and even uncertainty among the two of them.
—Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
What the performance-lecture attempts, in a format that mirrors the direct address of contemporary communication, is a demystification of a medium that often refuses to behave as a commodity that can stand alone and represent the artist.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
But the cowgirl refuses to believe Bonnie’s new tech fixation is more than just a phase.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
It is lit with joy, with purpose, with a fierce kind of love that refuses to dim.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The airline still refuses to reimburse your Virgin Australia tickets.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
And law enforcement refuses to investigate it.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
-
The Senate is supposed to vet cabinet positions, but the president's decision to block the confirmation of a full-time official denies them this constitutional responsibility, McDaniel says.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
18 June 2026
-
The postponement denies the Giants (31-43) an opportunity to sweep a team for the first time this season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Building Sugarwater also reflects Carrie’s broader ethos, one that rejects a scarcity mindset and instead embraces collaboration and connectivity.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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There’s already wide agreement within the denomination that its belief statement — the Baptist Faith and Message — rejects the appointment of women as senior pastors who lead churches.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Kojima Productions declines to share more information on Kier's involvement, though filming has now properly begun with the actors on OD.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 June 2026
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Democratic voters are more likely to vote by mail than Republicans so stand to benefit in future elections if the Supreme Court declines to get involved.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Furthermore, the new deal ignores Lebanon’s efforts to free itself from Iran’s influence in the country through its Hezbollah ally.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
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Rambling usually ignores it when Dean Cain posts one of his tirades against liberal Hollywood.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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