as in refusing
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 turning down
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are among the sport’s top stars to steadfastly remain loyal to the PGA Tour, with Woods turning down an offer from LIV Golf of $800 million in 2022.
—
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Some also favor turning down the heat and simmering eggs.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
But after turning down the 30-year payout, the winnings dropped to $57 million before taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Shortly after turning down the big job, her career took on a whole new direction.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
His 47 percent conversion rate on those attempts isn’t quite high enough to warrant turning down layups that could lead to three-point plays and put opponents into foul trouble.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Such a visit could be the ticket to turning down the temperature in a rapidly accelerating sub-regional showdown whose costs will be borne by the sub-region’s approximately 200 million people.
—Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Some also favor turning down the heat and simmering eggs.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
But after turning down the 30-year payout, the winnings dropped to $57 million before taxes.
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Shortly after turning down the big job, her career took on a whole new direction.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
His 47 percent conversion rate on those attempts isn’t quite high enough to warrant turning down layups that could lead to three-point plays and put opponents into foul trouble.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Such a visit could be the ticket to turning down the temperature in a rapidly accelerating sub-regional showdown whose costs will be borne by the sub-region’s approximately 200 million people.
—Cameron Hudson, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
-
In 1999, the IRS and the Department of Justice served him with an order requiring him to appear in federal court and explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for refusing to disclose information about his bank accounts and assets.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The new fines will range from $100 up to $1,000 for each offense, including increasing rent, decreasing services or refusing to renew a rental agreement because the tenant has complained about a housing violation in good faith.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has criticized European countries for rejecting or hesitating to get involved in the war with Iran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Questionable fee calculations, bait and switch practices and rejecting measures to improve transparency are not ways to earn that support.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office also reviewed evidence from West Jordan before declining to file charges.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Birth rates and fertility trends The administration is overhauling Title X in the context of declining birth rates.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the costly possession when the Rebels let the shot clock expire with 41 seconds left, Thienou surprised her coach by passing up a shot while the crowd was roaring and clearly distracting the visitors.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Redick pointed to Luka Doncic’s season-high 15 assists, which were lost in the noise of the Slovenian star passing up a potential game-winning 3-pointer.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pitchers are allowed two disengagements per plate appearance, either throwing over to first base or stepping off the rubber, or a combination of both.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The zone-heavy Chargers forced Hurts to beat them by throwing over the middle — a region Hurts attacks half as often as his peers — and Hurts was inconsistent.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Suárez also made a nice sliding grab on a Luke Keaschall ground ball in the seventh when the Twins (11-9) had a pair of runners on, popping quickly to his feet and throwing out a hustling Keaschall out to end the threat.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
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Fermin helped Márquez through a two-walk fifth inning, which got him in position for his second straight win, by throwing out Jake McCarthy trying to steal second base.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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