1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rejecting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusing
While in Jamaica, the Ramírez boys were sent to a very conservative private school to learn English and were punished for refusing to sing the British national anthem in morning assembly.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Much of it explodes, though; one false post of Nix refusing to wear a rainbow armband has over 2,300 reactions.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
By declining to expand social and political freedoms, by refusing to fundamentally overhaul the economy, the leadership has steadily narrowed its own options—moving from the merely ineffective to the actively self-destructive.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Neighbors spoke of Good and her wife with love, refusing to let Renee be reduced to a headline.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
She was disqualified by USA Fencing for refusing to face the opponent and hasn't competed in USA Fencing since.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) accused three major hospital systems of refusing to compromise on the issues.
—Jenna Deangelis, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Colvin, at age 15, was arrested nine months before Rosa Parks gained international fame for also refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
—Kimberly Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This includes refusing to follow crew instructions about seating assignments, escalating complaints with nearby passengers—such as disputes over arm rests, seat kicking, or reclining—or otherwise turning a minor annoyance into a confrontation.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Much of it explodes, though; one false post of Nix refusing to wear a rainbow armband has over 2,300 reactions.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
By declining to expand social and political freedoms, by refusing to fundamentally overhaul the economy, the leadership has steadily narrowed its own options—moving from the merely ineffective to the actively self-destructive.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
Neighbors spoke of Good and her wife with love, refusing to let Renee be reduced to a headline.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
She was disqualified by USA Fencing for refusing to face the opponent and hasn't competed in USA Fencing since.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) accused three major hospital systems of refusing to compromise on the issues.
—Jenna Deangelis, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Colvin, at age 15, was arrested nine months before Rosa Parks gained international fame for also refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
—Kimberly Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
This includes refusing to follow crew instructions about seating assignments, escalating complaints with nearby passengers—such as disputes over arm rests, seat kicking, or reclining—or otherwise turning a minor annoyance into a confrontation.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell released a video statement on Sunday night denying criminal wrongdoing shortly after the Department of Justice opened an investigation into him.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Jan. 2026
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The vaccine misinformation advanced by the president and his science-denying Secretary of Health and Human Services is taking its toll on vaccination rates.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But a jury apparently disagreed, convicting Amiri of a civil rights violation that relied heavily on Manly-Williams’ testimony and rejecting all other charges, including conspiracy to violate civil rights.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Talarico represents the Democrats who believe that winning is possible by rejecting rather than emulating the president’s least flattering qualities.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mavis Leno's advanced dementia diagnosis was revealed in 2024, when her husband was granted conservatorship over her estate amid her declining health.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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District leaders pointed to declining student achievement, a lack of resources for the school's special education program, and insurmountable financial issues with the school.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alyssa Farah Griffin attempted to cut in, with Navarro ignoring her in the moment.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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James said the administration has not provided evidence of fraud or misuse of child care funding in New York, while ignoring the standard processes for withholding such funds.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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