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
But if United chose this path by signing two big-money attacking midfielders this summer, so too did Fernandes by turning down Al Hilal’s offer to play in the Saudi Pro League.
—
Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Can states risk turning down massive economic development investments?
—Delaney Nolan, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Counsell jumped from the Brewers to the Cubs two years ago, landing a precedent-setting contract in Chicago while turning down an attractive offer to stay in Milwaukee.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Many job applicants are turning down offers, worried that the positions are not stable and uneasy with the overall direction of the agency, according to internal documents examined by ProPublica.
—David Armstrong, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2025
Neeta Satam | Bloomberg | Getty Images Some 3,200 Boeing defense unit workers went on strike for the first time in almost three decades early Monday after turning down a contract offer with the company.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Can states risk turning down massive economic development investments?
—Delaney Nolan, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Counsell jumped from the Brewers to the Cubs two years ago, landing a precedent-setting contract in Chicago while turning down an attractive offer to stay in Milwaukee.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Many job applicants are turning down offers, worried that the positions are not stable and uneasy with the overall direction of the agency, according to internal documents examined by ProPublica.
—David Armstrong, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2025
Neeta Satam | Bloomberg | Getty Images Some 3,200 Boeing defense unit workers went on strike for the first time in almost three decades early Monday after turning down a contract offer with the company.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
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Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.—
Elliot Spagat,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bottom Line Gen Z isn’t rejecting career ambition—they’re redefining it around skill mastery, purpose and sustainable productivity rather than traditional hierarchies.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Even while rejecting many of the Administration’s demands, Harvard has in recent months made moves that share something of the flavor of the Administration’s preferences, beyond addressing antisemitism.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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That growing influencer base among podcasters contrasts with the declining reach of legacy TV networks and cable channels.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And at the same time, the same thing is happening at the top of the talent stack – big tech is fighting for top talent in AI and semiconductor applications, throwing out absurd pay packages and huge bonus checks to try to steal talent.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Lynx teammates Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman — the Stud Budz — were on hand, throwing out the first pitch on Sunday.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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