as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of turndown
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Usually left on guests' beds during turndown service, the fabric sculptures can range from simple swans and bunnies to elaborate elephants, monkeys, or even sea creatures.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs don’t have as much money to spend in free agency as many other teams, but Kelce, 36, is expected to turn down more lucrative offers to stay with the Chiefs, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
By adapting this architecture specifically for hydrogen, the company claims to have achieved the highest current density and turndown ratios in the alkaline category.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Usually left on guests' beds during turndown service, the fabric sculptures can range from simple swans and bunnies to elaborate elephants, monkeys, or even sea creatures.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Three-time Broadway performer Mark Ballas will step into the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago this spring, two decades after being turned down for a spot in the show’s ensemble.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
The Chiefs don’t have as much money to spend in free agency as many other teams, but Kelce, 36, is expected to turn down more lucrative offers to stay with the Chiefs, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
-
Artificial intelligence systems do not possess human intelligence and therefore should not be granted rights or protections reserved for people, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case challenging the requirement that copyrightable works must have human authorship.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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But for those who are tending toward cosmetic refusal anyway, the Commission’s words might be just the spiritual ticket.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More than a year later, with much of the Palisades still in ruins, LAFD leaders have refused to explain how or why the breakdowns occurred.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tommy Thompson, a research scientist who was imprisoned for a decade after refusing to disclose where an 1800s shipwreck's gold coins were being stored, was released, according to federal Bureau of Prisons records.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Researchers say a growing number of young people are turning to AI to navigate social situations — drafting rejection texts, decoding mixed signals and scripting difficult conversations.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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The rejection of the application, highly unusual for the FDA, prompted Moderna to go public with Prasad's decision and vow to formally challenge it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.—
JUSTIN SPIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, officials representing Seligman urged the council to reject the compensation agreements and instead sell the property to Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While Congress recently took an important step by enacting PBM reform, that alone will not fix the systemic delays and denials facing cancer patients today.—
Alex Mejia Garcia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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Immigration bond denial rates by month have risen since last summer, from less than 50% in June to more than 62% in December, according to data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Scientists disagree on whether these young trees will mature into forest giants or decline due to drought and a warming climate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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But exactly how the tragedy unfolded has remained unclear and the Pentagon has declined comment, saying the investigation remains ongoing.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Though Shaynak had concerns about his mobility as an actor, the opportunity to be on The Pitt felt like too great a chance to pass up.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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The Patriots would also like to get younger at this position, but Goedert may be too good to pass up if the stars align.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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