Synonyms of refusing

refusing

verb

present participle of refuse

1

as in denying

to be unwilling to grant

the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denying
• rejecting
• declining
• withholding
• disallowing
• forbidding
• disapproving
• prohibiting
• restricting
• vetoing
• keeping
• banning
• nixing
• reprobating
• proscribing
• enjoining
• negativing
• restraining
• holding
• spurning
• checking
• impeding
• obstructing
• constraining
• hindering
• curbing
• rebuffing
• repressing
• repelling
• balking (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allowing
• letting
• granting
• permitting
• providing
• giving
• supplying
• conceding
• affording
• authorizing
• furnishing
• acquiescing
• licensing
• commissioning
• according
• agreeing (to)
• warranting
• OK'ing
• consenting (to)
• sanctioning
• acceding (to)
• assenting (to)
• vouchsafing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rejecting
• declining
• ignoring
• denying
• passing
• forbidding
• avoiding
• dismissing
• spurning
• withdrawing
• vetoing
• disapproving
• disputing
• repudiating
• deselecting
• turning down
• nixing
• reprobating
• balking (at)
• passing up
• throwing over
• prohibiting
• disdaining
• throwing out
• negativing
• rebuffing
• scorning
• renouncing
• overruling
• proscribing
• retracting
• revoking
• scouting
• turning one's back on
• disavowing
• sticking
• forbearing
• contradicting
• blowing off
• disclaiming
• forswearing
• recalling
• refuting
• abjuring
• recanting
• disallowing
• bypassing
• refraining (from)
• disowning
• abstaining (from)
• taking back
• shooting down
• controverting
• detouring
• disproving
• negating
• gainsaying
• rebutting
• unsaying
• disagreeing (with)
• reneging
• backtracking
• backing off
• backing down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepting
• approving
• receiving
• agreeing (to)
• taking
• tolerating
• adopting
• swallowing
• agreeing
• embracing
• welcoming
• choosing
• consenting
• condoning
• selecting
• assenting
• acceding
• countenancing
• supporting
• acquiescing
• espousing
• handpicking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refusing

Now a new report on the fallout from the investigation into that flyover is rattling the Defense Department and could lead to further delay in replacing the Army leader ousted for refusing to kill the probe. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

After slowly changing the theatrical underworld as the king of midnight movies, Curry spent the rest of his acting career gleefully refusing to be pinned down. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Walking away or refusing to respond leaves the other person wondering whether the conversation—or even the relationship—is over. — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Ten years before his conviction, Cacioppo spent months in prison for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating mob influences in the adult entertainment industry. — Jack Harvel august 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

Washington is also threatening damaging new sanctions on countries refusing to cut economic ties with Iran. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

ProPublica reporter Audrey Dutton obtained coroner and law enforcement records for deaths of children whose parents self-identified as refusing medical care for religious reasons. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

The object of his attention is Alexander Isak, the striker who left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago after downing tools and refusing to play and is now back on Tyneside for the first time. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Ruby Ridge is where white separatist Randy Weaver barricaded himself, his family, and a friend in a remote Idaho cabin after refusing to appear in court on federal weapons charges. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026