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

With free speech under threat in Hollywood, Poppy Liu refuses to separate her politics from her art. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 27 May 2026

It may be stopped because one student speaks up, one parent pays attention, one friend refuses to stay silent, one faith leader reaches out, or one community decides that preventing hate is everyone’s responsibility. —Michael Brunker, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

The moment retaining those employees becomes a competitive disadvantage, the company that refuses to move first risks falling behind a competitor willing to cut harder, move faster, and deploy capital more aggressively. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Continue reading … SILENT TREATMENT — Congressional candidate refuses to say Pledge of Allegiance in resurfaced clips. —FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026

In a radical move that blurs the line between traditional sailing and motorsport, SailGP last year quietly began testing an active water-jet propulsion system designed to artificially push the boats up onto their foils when nature refuses to cooperate. —Andrew Rice, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Each person gets a single scene but feels utterly real, with Will Dagger a standout as the cousin, leaking needy bravado, and Constance Shulman very funny as the funeral director, determined to stage a party for a host who refuses to throw one. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 May 2026

The journalist turns his attention to Oda Sotatsu, a man who has admitted to a string of disappearances but refuses to speak another word after surrendering to police. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026

How about the fact that Las Vegas refuses to let Bruce Cassidy interview for other coaching jobs? —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 May 2026