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
Israeli industry figures from major institutions, including DocAviv Festival, the CoPro market and public broadcaster Kan, have all been turned down from attending the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, one of the world’s leading documentary festivals.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Be forewarned, though, that consumers with lower credit scores may get turned down.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The thermostats in the residence above had been turned down low because of President Jimmy Carter’s energy conservation program, making the East Wing so cold that she was forced to wear long underwear.
—Darlene Superville, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
However, so far, WBD has turned down the Ellison entreaties.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
After an edgy week, Michigan found the volume knob and turned down the noise.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The one where Jennifer Aniston turned down a casting offer from Saturday Night Live before her Friends fame.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
Hyatt had applied for a job with Stride in December and been turned down in February.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not in Egypt, having turned down an invitation by the White House to attend a large gathering of Middle Eastern, European and Asian leaders.
—The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Be forewarned, though, that consumers with lower credit scores may get turned down.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The thermostats in the residence above had been turned down low because of President Jimmy Carter’s energy conservation program, making the East Wing so cold that she was forced to wear long underwear.
—Darlene Superville, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
However, so far, WBD has turned down the Ellison entreaties.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
After an edgy week, Michigan found the volume knob and turned down the noise.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The one where Jennifer Aniston turned down a casting offer from Saturday Night Live before her Friends fame.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
Hyatt had applied for a job with Stride in December and been turned down in February.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not in Egypt, having turned down an invitation by the White House to attend a large gathering of Middle Eastern, European and Asian leaders.
—The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned down
Verb
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Following a conversation with Sanders and Adams, CPS told the officers to release the boy to Adams, who had refused to provide the couple’s new address.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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The civil lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court alleges Blain has refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and has deleted public records from those same sources and asked others to delete messages from him.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Russia’s Defense Ministry has rejected the Lithuanian claims and said its Su-30 fighter jets conducted training flights over the Kaliningrad region in strict compliance with the rules, not violating the borders of any other states.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Texas lawmakers rejected both the Smithsonian's cost estimates of transporting Discovery and the museum's legal claim of ownership.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Clark declined to comment when asked if some smaller-market clubs bring in more money than large-market clubs.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Through Hobbs, the farmer declined an interview.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The Oilers passed up countless quality chances at five-on-five and were seldom around the blue paint against the Devils.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turned down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20down. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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