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

But like in May, Ukraine’s European allies are refusing to heed the Kremlin’s call to abandon the city. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

April 20 – May 20 Your body may tell you what your schedule has been refusing to admit. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Taurus April 20 – May 20 Your body may tell you what your schedule has been refusing to admit. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Oct. 2026

That’s changing, as CalHR now says SEIU Local 1000 is the one refusing to meet. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Angry but empathetic, frank in its darkness but refusing to wallow in it, Tip Toe is a cry of frustration that cuts right to the heart. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Ticket holders refusing to be screened will be denied entry into the stadium, KU says. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

After initially refusing surgical intervention, Joel had a shunt implanted to alleviate some effects of the disorder. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

The news comes amid ongoing tensions as the war in Iran persists, with Trump refusing a deal with Iran to open the Strait as recently as Saturday, impacting the world's oil supply. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026