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

Recently in Colorado, a progressive 15-term Democratic member of Congress lost a primary election to a DSA candidate who refuses to condemn as anti-Semitic the firebombing of a demonstration for Israeli hostages. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Now they are being flown to Bhutan - a country that still refuses to recognize them as citizens and expels them on arrival to India or Nepal. — Maansi Srivastava, NPR, 21 July 2026

Gavin refuses to use a byproduct solely because it would otherwise be discarded. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Drewchin refuses to shy away from the physical realities of pregnancy and birth. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

In Nolan’s film, when Odysseus and his crew first set sail from Troy, our hero refuses to join the convoy with King Agamemnon (Benny Safdie) and the other ships. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Continue reading … — Pizza joint slammed after owner refuses to serve National Guard troops. — FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

If impact fees are so problematic that the state refuses to pay them when funding projects, then lawmakers have already acknowledged that these fees materially affect housing production and should act accordingly. — Kileen Lindgren, Oc Register, 16 July 2026

Major League Baseball’s owners have pushed hard for a salary cap, while the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) refuses to entertain the notion. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 July 2026