as in refused
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation
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Recent Examples of turned down
Tatum now stars in director Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman, but the actor previously turned down an offer from the filmmaker to star in the 2010 drama Blue Valentine.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
On the flip side, shock and outrage was expressed in some quarters when Mbeumo turned down Champions League football at Newcastle in order to join a Manchester United team in transition under Amorim.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
After Victorious ended production in 2012, Thomas turned down the chance to attend Morehouse College, opting instead to hone his songwriting under Babyface’s mentorship.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
The deal was finalized after Hurley reportedly turned down a six-year offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to become the franchise's next head coach.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Even Grazer, who is most know for being Ron Howard’s producer, is constantly being turned down.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Twice in the past five years, supermajorities of voters have turned down proposals to build new high school baseball and softball fields in Louisburg, Kansas, home of the Wildcats.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Khowaja assured the council the speaker volume would be kept low and turned down in the evening.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Last week, GiveMeSport said the Loons turned down a bid of more than $4 million for Oluwaseyi.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
On the flip side, shock and outrage was expressed in some quarters when Mbeumo turned down Champions League football at Newcastle in order to join a Manchester United team in transition under Amorim.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
After Victorious ended production in 2012, Thomas turned down the chance to attend Morehouse College, opting instead to hone his songwriting under Babyface’s mentorship.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
The deal was finalized after Hurley reportedly turned down a six-year offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to become the franchise's next head coach.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Even Grazer, who is most know for being Ron Howard’s producer, is constantly being turned down.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Twice in the past five years, supermajorities of voters have turned down proposals to build new high school baseball and softball fields in Louisburg, Kansas, home of the Wildcats.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Khowaja assured the council the speaker volume would be kept low and turned down in the evening.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Last week, GiveMeSport said the Loons turned down a bid of more than $4 million for Oluwaseyi.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned down
Verb
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In one practice, McCarthy refused to throw an easy short pass and opted instead to throw a deeper-developing route.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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While there was plenty of blame to go around following the Giants' 21-6 loss, head coach Brian Daboll seemingly refused to point the finger at Wilson despite his underwhelming performance.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The club rejected her for lack of record.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Combine uneven play with 11 penalties and that’s a cocktail even the Florida student section nauseously rejected.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the Republican side, many politicos were thrown for another loop when Attorney General Brenna Bird declined to run for the GOP nomination.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Note that the relative strength indicator has declined from late 2024 to the present – heading in the opposite direction of the price.—
John Navin,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And with James Beard Award semifinalist Colleen Hughes at the bar, a cocktail or mocktail should not be passed up.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turned down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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