1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusing
The Wisconsin faithful stayed put, drenched and delirious, as if refusing to let the night slip away like so many before it.
—
Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
The case centers on former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who who appealed to the high court after she was ordered to pay a gay couple $100,000 for refusing to marry them in 2015.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In a livestream on the organization's official Facebook page, pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called out Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Not only has the move imposed financial constraints on the Colombian leader, but his official duties abroad have been affected, with multiple airports refusing to refuel his presidential plane due to the sanctions.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Both the medical examiner’s report and CLERB’s investigation described Bach as refusing insulin.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
The violations include student-athletes betting on and against their own teams, sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting, manipulating scoring or outcomes and/or refusing to participate in the investigation.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
The case centers on former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who who appealed to the high court after she was ordered to pay a gay couple $100,000 for refusing to marry them in 2015.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In a livestream on the organization's official Facebook page, pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called out Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Not only has the move imposed financial constraints on the Colombian leader, but his official duties abroad have been affected, with multiple airports refusing to refuel his presidential plane due to the sanctions.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Both the medical examiner’s report and CLERB’s investigation described Bach as refusing insulin.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
The violations include student-athletes betting on and against their own teams, sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting, manipulating scoring or outcomes and/or refusing to participate in the investigation.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
-
The Indonesian government cited security and safety concerns for denying the visas, but an Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country's security team gave clearance to its athletes.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The township's planning commission voted in late September to recommend denying rezoning for the project, which still must go before the county planning commission and township board.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Two in 5 Gen Zers are pursuing blue-collar work, rejecting the collegiate path and learning trades, according to a May 2025 survey of 1,434 young adults by Resume Builder.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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And the British nations, as ever, remained aloof, England rejecting a late offer to step in for Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Autophagy means detecting and removing cells that are declining in functional capacity and replacing them with new cells.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
-
However, Gallup's polling also shows declining support among Republicans.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wrapped in a blanked on the sofa, binging reruns of The Oprah Show on YouTube and gleefully ignoring emails all morning is my idea of heaven.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
On July 4, after Zane confessed to feeling guilty about ignoring more texts from his family members, the chatbot offered to help Zane craft a terse message to them.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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