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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of turndown
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel helps guests prepare for silverback sightings by providing complimentary gaiters, backpacks and hats; packing lunch for the outing; and leaving walking sticks as turndown amenities.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Dante Moore, the quarterback for the University of Oregon Ducks, plans to play another year of college football—turning down an eight-figure salary as a result.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
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
The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel helps guests prepare for silverback sightings by providing complimentary gaiters, backpacks and hats; packing lunch for the outing; and leaving walking sticks as turndown amenities.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Times request for the document was turned down citing attorney-client privilege.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Dante Moore, the quarterback for the University of Oregon Ducks, plans to play another year of college football—turning down an eight-figure salary as a result.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
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According to Damien Routely, these include messy ownership of decisions and no reliable view of cash or delivery cadence, which indicate a weak and unclear leadership structure; the inability to properly articulate what the business actually is, and a refusal to listen and assimilate feedback.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In an age when the phone has become our memory, map, diary, and most reliable distraction, Katrantzou has created a series of minaudières, part of the Bulgari Icons project, that offer a polite but pointed refusal.—
Tiziana Cardini,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My comment addressed agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Judge Marrus, however, refused to back down.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When people perceive interpersonal threat, such as criticism, rejection or conflict, the brain’s stress circuits get activated, limiting access to the prefrontal regions involved in perspective-taking and flexible thinking.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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That’s more than can be said for some of Obama’s former furniture, which didn’t survive long enough to face rejection.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Supervisors Shanti Landon, Anthony DeMattei and Suzanne Jones made up the three votes rejecting the loan.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Kaiser flatly rejects the notion that the strike is about anything other than reimbursement.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In recent years, Olathe’s seen more projects move forward that could help address the missing middle housing gap, including a City Council approval on Tuesday to build 71 townhome units, despite the Planning Commission recommending denial, Olathe spokesperson Kennedy said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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The president cited the denial of the students’ constitutional rights in federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So far, almost all Republicans have declined to put checks on Trump through the war powers votes.—
STEPHEN GROVES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Nvidia declined to comment on executive travel plans.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chance to reunite with Silverfield and his staff, including former Memphis offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, at Arkansas was too much to pass up.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Jan. 2026
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Still, the woman felt the opportunity was too valuable to pass up.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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