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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refuses
The place is decaying and strict, but Luna refuses to give in to its rules.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
But Chiles refuses to let anyone’s score define her.
—Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
But naturally, Meredith can see right through this plan and refuses to get dragged into this mess — especially when Lisa is already starting to break down at the thought of Meredith not defending her.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Compact Powerhouse for On-the-Go Living The VTOMAN Jump 1800 is built for anyone who refuses to be limited by access to a wall socket.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
While Skenes' early years are apparently being wasted in a Pittsburgh organization that refuses to spend money to create a playoff-contending roster around him, the Pirates could build from within to create a strong team a few years down the road by stockpiling top prospects, Rymer argued.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But Kwei, in the first display of mercy or kindness that Dek has ever seen, refuses to slay his own brother.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
Many Democrats have adopted a more brash and confrontational style of politics, which refuses to keep anything quiet.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson fits a generation’s worth of cineplex joys into One Battle After Another, but the revolution refuses to get off the couch.
—Jonathan Lethem, The New York Review of Books, 30 Oct. 2025
John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
But Chiles refuses to let anyone’s score define her.
—Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
But naturally, Meredith can see right through this plan and refuses to get dragged into this mess — especially when Lisa is already starting to break down at the thought of Meredith not defending her.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Compact Powerhouse for On-the-Go Living The VTOMAN Jump 1800 is built for anyone who refuses to be limited by access to a wall socket.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
While Skenes' early years are apparently being wasted in a Pittsburgh organization that refuses to spend money to create a playoff-contending roster around him, the Pirates could build from within to create a strong team a few years down the road by stockpiling top prospects, Rymer argued.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But Kwei, in the first display of mercy or kindness that Dek has ever seen, refuses to slay his own brother.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
Many Democrats have adopted a more brash and confrontational style of politics, which refuses to keep anything quiet.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson fits a generation’s worth of cineplex joys into One Battle After Another, but the revolution refuses to get off the couch.
—Jonathan Lethem, The New York Review of Books, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
-
Despite the demand letter, Daou denies any allegations the family attempted to steal from the park.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
He is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, but denies the allegations.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Employees have even suggested that Hialeah might be better served by joining county-run departments, an idea Calvo firmly rejects.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
After years representing luxury giants in fashion and beauty ranging from Audemars Piguet to Sephora, content creator Nour Arida is launching her own vision, one that rejects perfection in favor of presence.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Independent energy analyst Rachel Ziemba, who agrees major oil companies may hesitate, also notes that declines in the price of crude – the raw material for consumer products like gasoline – are often not fully passed on to consumers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
-
That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Don DeWitte,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share