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
Another player expected to join Inter Miami is 26-year-old Argentine right back Facundo Muro, who turned down an offer from River Plate to join Messi and Miami’s large Argentine contingent.
—
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
McIlroy has long been one of LIV Golf’s harshest critics and turned down multi-million-dollar offers to join the tour.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in their capitals.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
People have to show they’ve been turned down by at least three companies.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Haddish had auditioned for Saturday Night Live multiple times and been turned down.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
The Jets also reportedly turned down a second-round pick offer for defensive end Jermaine Johnson.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Pertegaz turned down the opportunity, focusing on his own creations.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
In recent days, the measure’s opponents have gone relatively quiet and turned down their spending to defeat it.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
McIlroy has long been one of LIV Golf’s harshest critics and turned down multi-million-dollar offers to join the tour.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in their capitals.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
People have to show they’ve been turned down by at least three companies.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Haddish had auditioned for Saturday Night Live multiple times and been turned down.
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
The Jets also reportedly turned down a second-round pick offer for defensive end Jermaine Johnson.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Pertegaz turned down the opportunity, focusing on his own creations.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
In recent days, the measure’s opponents have gone relatively quiet and turned down their spending to defeat it.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned down
Verb
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Google, Meta, Microsoft’s LinkedIn, and Elon Musk’s X have all delayed, adjusted, or flat-out refused to launch AI products because of the bloc’s laws.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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And the defense refused to yield.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, this is early days, and there have been similar drugs which looked promising at the beginning but were later rejected due to safety concerns, Nadar said.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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That can feel quite personal, and maybe the parents feel rejected too.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Dillard's declined to comment for this article.—
Amir Mahmoud,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Owens’ attorney, Joshua Kolsrud, who is representing her in the criminal allegations involving Echard and, now, the Scottsdale man, declined to comment, citing her pending criminal trial, which is scheduled for January 2026.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The first time Helena Morrissey had a child, she was passed up for a promotion.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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McAtamney’s lack of field goal range also played a part in this game because the Giants passed up attempts.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turned down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20down. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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