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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turned down
When public address announcer Mark Fratto introduced Young as a starter with the lights in the arena turned down, many of the fans stood and cheered.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite the Kennedy family's reputation as unofficial American royalty, John and Carolyn famously turned down the opportunity to have a blockbuster celebrity wedding.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
Woods turned down the job last time, leading to Bradley being appointed just 14 months before the matches.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Even turned down a record deal with David Foster.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Ellison turned down an invitation to testify at the hearing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Higgins previously turned down a deal that would have sent him to prison for 35 years.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
One artist who initially turned down Rees’ request but reconsidered has now become a professional pal.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Citing the financial uncertainties caused by the incident, the agency turned down a request for $100,000 that would’ve been used toward a fish habitat project.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite the Kennedy family's reputation as unofficial American royalty, John and Carolyn famously turned down the opportunity to have a blockbuster celebrity wedding.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
Woods turned down the job last time, leading to Bradley being appointed just 14 months before the matches.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Even turned down a record deal with David Foster.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Ellison turned down an invitation to testify at the hearing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Higgins previously turned down a deal that would have sent him to prison for 35 years.
—Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
One artist who initially turned down Rees’ request but reconsidered has now become a professional pal.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Citing the financial uncertainties caused by the incident, the agency turned down a request for $100,000 that would’ve been used toward a fish habitat project.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned down
Verb
-
Reporters from outlets that refused to consent to the new rules, including those from the Associated Press, have continued reporting on the military from outside the building.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown rejected Beverly Hills’ apology after police shut down his private All-Star Weekend event, citing financial and reputational harm.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In Shelley’s novel, the lonely creature demands a romantic companion after he is rejected by humanity.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Township officials also offered assistance during a public meeting to help address those concerns, but the university declined the help, the lawsuit alleges.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Army Corps declined to comment for this article, citing the ongoing lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Fishers native never passed up a chance to perform, singing at school functions and in local pubs and restaurants throughout her childhood.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
2 Mar. 2026
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They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turned down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20down. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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