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

Rumors circulated that Matthews was refusing to film with Paul, and since May, the two have been fighting online (alongside the rest of MomTok trying to keep the peace, to no avail). — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Despite backlash from her own party and Republicans, Headen is refusing to drop out of the state race. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Under Laporta, the club might have scaled everything back, refusing to keep pace with football’s rampant wage inflation, selling young stars for a fortune and reducing their edge on the field in the process. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Twenty-four years after that girl spoke from Jenin, Palestinians in Gaza are still refusing to kneel. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

The foreperson then sent a note to the judge saying the jury could not reach a verdict and accusing the holdout of refusing to apply the law on reasonable doubt. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Set in 1977, the film sees Madeley go head-to-head with Mark Ruffalo, who plays the secretary of health, education, and welfare, refusing to sign regulations that would help disabled people across America. — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Guadagnino deserves credit for refusing to tiptoe around the controversy that has made Last Tango in Paris such a hot potato. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026