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

Khrzhanovsky refuses to disclose which scenes come from the original shoot and which are the add-ons. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

The driver turns out to be a former co-worker of Ho-seok’s, and for initially unspecified reasons, refuses to take them. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026

Thompson is particularly skilled at emotionally investing in his character’s plight even as the spontaneous production refuses to take itself too seriously. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Daily itineraries have a natural, easy flow to them—a hospitality that refuses to be reduced to anything less authentic than staying with friends. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

There is also the stubborn possibility the victim refuses to cooperate. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Judge refuses defense request to remove juror in Lindsay Clancy trial. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

When the bank refuses, the sisters scheme an elaborate all-night heist to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

The Resistance Is Usually About More Than Stubbornness When a parent doesn’t want to talk about getting help, or just refuses outright, the reasons are always complicated. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026