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

Despite an impressive guest book that includes Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Aga Khan III, Rita Hayworth, and Ringo Starr, Hôtel Royal refuses to rest on its laurels. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Mungiu refuses to supply easy answers or simple paths to identification in this compelling provocation, which poses unresolvable questions to viewers about our biases and presumptions. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

When Aemond refuses to fight, Aegon conscripts him to fly to Tumbleton to deal with their uppity little brother. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Warmooge’s mother, Saluugla, refuses to bury her son without justice, believing burial without accountability would erase his death. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026

Queen Rhaenyra the Ugly After being warned that Helaena refuses to eat, Rhaenyra tries to plead with her half-sister. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Spiridakos is terrific as the no-nonsense ranger who refuses to let herself be crushed by her past or present. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Someone refuses to back you up as the moon and Mercury clash. — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

James refuses to consider part-time employment or even volunteering as a way to network and potentially expand his exposure to employment opportunities and networking. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026