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

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

It's built by what leadership consistently rewards, tolerates and refuses to compromise on. — Brandon Shannon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

His mother refuses to wait for bad news and decides to take matters into her own hands. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 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

Sugar first gives Ray a chance to walk away in the most peaceful manner possible, but Ray refuses his offer of a new life in Panama. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

The 2016 reflation trade ran on an accommodative Federal Reserve and inflation running well below target — conditions with no analog in the current cycle, where the Fed is still wrestling with an inflation rate that refuses to return to 2%. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Except old habits die hard and the SEC, leaning into its history, refuses to yield. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

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