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
Trump has broadly defended his aggressive deportation campaign and blamed local officials for refusing to cooperate.
—
Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Douglas said some providers fear losing positions or facing consequences for refusing to treat patients or perform actions that violate their ethical principles.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
But Kornev is young and infused with an idealistic zeal, refusing to let these goons stonewall him.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Almost every Democrat who responded blamed Republicans for refusing to reopen most of DHS while continuing to negotiate on immigration enforcement funding.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Other European leaders have gone further by condemning the conflict and refusing any help at all.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
Democrats dug in their heels, uniformly refusing to advance legislation after expressing frustration that a Republican proposal didn't include more immigration enforcement reforms that were recently agreed to by the White House.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
In congressional testimony last fall, Monarez said she was dismissed after only 29 days on the job for refusing to rubber-stamp changes to vaccine policy.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
If someone in a mental health crisis is refusing treatment, when should authorities intervene and force them into treatment anyway?
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Douglas said some providers fear losing positions or facing consequences for refusing to treat patients or perform actions that violate their ethical principles.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
But Kornev is young and infused with an idealistic zeal, refusing to let these goons stonewall him.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Almost every Democrat who responded blamed Republicans for refusing to reopen most of DHS while continuing to negotiate on immigration enforcement funding.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Other European leaders have gone further by condemning the conflict and refusing any help at all.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
Democrats dug in their heels, uniformly refusing to advance legislation after expressing frustration that a Republican proposal didn't include more immigration enforcement reforms that were recently agreed to by the White House.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
In congressional testimony last fall, Monarez said she was dismissed after only 29 days on the job for refusing to rubber-stamp changes to vaccine policy.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
If someone in a mental health crisis is refusing treatment, when should authorities intervene and force them into treatment anyway?
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
-
Sorokin was locked in from the drop of the puck, denying Colin Blackwell on a shorthanded breakaway 10 minutes in and making a handful of other 10-bell saves on quality scoring chances in the first period alone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Wasn’t Israel already systematically denying medical, food and fuel relief headed to Gaza?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Owens made the case that under the stadium incentive package approved by lawmakers in 2024 and the tentative STAR bond agreement negotiated by Toland on behalf of the state, rejecting the sports authority bill would only give the executive branch more control over the project.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
They are socialized in a world of makeup tutorials, fashion magazines, and objectifying advertisements—not to mention feminist commentary and pop songs about rejecting or healthily navigating image standards.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The grand jury had the options of handing up an indictment, declining to indict and issuing a report known as a presentment.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That is it for Elena, who marches out of the galley and up the Katina’s many levels, storming past wide-eyed stews and unsuspecting guests, ignoring the fact that service has basically already started, in order to reach Jason on the sundeck.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sable has been accused of repeatedly ignoring the directives of state and local officials, as well as committing criminal acts related to California environmental and coastal laws.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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