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
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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
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Recent Examples of turndown
Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
Wellness is also sprinkled throughout the stay in other ways outside of Thistle, like the welcome ritual and the nightly turndown service.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
By the end of the morning session, I had been turned down more times than a lowly high school sophomore trying to get a date for the prom.
—Jj Rosen, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
The DoubleTree Cookie debuted in 1986, and was placed in guestrooms as part of turndown service.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
Wellness is also sprinkled throughout the stay in other ways outside of Thistle, like the welcome ritual and the nightly turndown service.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Verb
In May 2021, IQHQ offered the city a no-cost lease for the site, as required, but San Diego turned down the offer in favor of entering into an easement, use and maintenance agreement.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
By the end of the morning session, I had been turned down more times than a lowly high school sophomore trying to get a date for the prom.
—Jj Rosen, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
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Emerson found the transfer retaliatory and said Philip’s refusal was protected under California labor law.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Anything from Hamas’s refusal to accept terms of transitional period, completely disarming, or a violent incident could become a pretext to violate the ceasefire.—
Shibley Telhami,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What isn’t known — and what university and fraternity officials have refused to discuss — is what happened in the basement of the three-story house in the 1300 block of West Campus Road, before the young man lost consciousness.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
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Thomas, alas, can refuse any trade after taking the qualifying offer this summer and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One day, doctors could produce blood fully compatible with a patient’s body, avoiding rejection risks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
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Other university leaders are saying MIT's rejection of the deal opens the door for other institutions to make the same choice, rather than agree to deals like some of the Ivies have.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals later rejected a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel against him.—
Amy Yurkanin,
ProPublica,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Senate rejected Democratic and Republican plans to reopen the government Thursday, its seventh attempt to break the stalemate.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The family did not challenge the denial in court.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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Back in September, the Chinese government enacted a law that allows for the imposition of retaliatory fees or port access denials for vessels from countries that take discriminatory actions against Chinese vessels or carriers.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Agency officials and spokespeople declined to speak to ProPublica.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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Trammell Crow declined to provide further details on the permit filing, including information on a construction timeline.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Joshua Karty also missed a 26-yard field goal, and Rams coach Sean McVay passed up kicking another short one to instead go for it on 4th-and-3 in the fourth quarter.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Peeke’s pass up the middle from his own zone got knocked down in the neutral zone.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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