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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turning down
Tips for Reducing Home Cooling Costs To further maximize your energy savings, consider these tips for cooling your home without turning down the AC.
—
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
Maybe the best thing to happen to the Phillies was Alex Cora turning down president Dave Dombrowski’s offer to replace Thomson.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Recently, after years of turning down offers to expand the brand, Chiva-Som recently opened its first outpost, Zulal Wellness Retreat in Qatar, focussing on family health.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The company has also been the subject of acquisition rumors in recent months, reportedly turning down interest from both Sazerac and Pernod Ricard.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Carlos is on his way to the casino, turning down his mother’s offer of his favorite lunch and proceeding with such purpose that his head is barely turned by a parade of the gayest matelots since Pierre et Gilles’ 2005 book Sailors & Sea.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2026
The trade came one year after Odighizuwa signed a four-year, $80 million extension with Dallas after reportedly turning down more money to remain with the Cowboys.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
In hindsight, Julius Randle turning down a potential drive to the rim and instead lobbing a grenade to Rudy Gobert near the end of the shot clock was a harbinger of the rest of his night.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
He was advised by a judge that turning down the plea bargain and heading to trial exposes him to as many as 37 years in prison.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
Maybe the best thing to happen to the Phillies was Alex Cora turning down president Dave Dombrowski’s offer to replace Thomson.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Recently, after years of turning down offers to expand the brand, Chiva-Som recently opened its first outpost, Zulal Wellness Retreat in Qatar, focussing on family health.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The company has also been the subject of acquisition rumors in recent months, reportedly turning down interest from both Sazerac and Pernod Ricard.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Carlos is on his way to the casino, turning down his mother’s offer of his favorite lunch and proceeding with such purpose that his head is barely turned by a parade of the gayest matelots since Pierre et Gilles’ 2005 book Sailors & Sea.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2026
The trade came one year after Odighizuwa signed a four-year, $80 million extension with Dallas after reportedly turning down more money to remain with the Cowboys.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
In hindsight, Julius Randle turning down a potential drive to the rim and instead lobbing a grenade to Rudy Gobert near the end of the shot clock was a harbinger of the rest of his night.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
He was advised by a judge that turning down the plea bargain and heading to trial exposes him to as many as 37 years in prison.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
-
Trump has frequently been at odds with the NBA during his two terms in office, with big stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James refusing invites during his first term in office.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
In a shocking decision in February, Prasad rejected Moderna’s filing, refusing to even review the vaccine.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
In social services, the Legislature is rejecting a cut by the governor to popular in-home supportive service care funding for Californians with disabilities — including older adults and children.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
Cornyn then doubled down, rejecting the premise that procedural effort can substitute for votes and escalating his criticism of Republican messaging.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The Supreme Court is staying out of a case about whether the Catholic Church misled parishioners about the purpose of an annual collection, passing up a chance to probe the independence churches have from government interference.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
-
Simpson was back in Los Angeles for the first time since April 24, the day after the seemingly Super Bowl-ready Rams surprised many by passing up the opportunity to select a receiver to choose an Alabama quarterback with only 15 starts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Anthony had a cortisone shot last week and had begun throwing over the weekend.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Next, a gentle tip-tap rippling through major East Coast cities, as the girls collectively add to cart whatever Holmes is toting or throwing over her shoulders.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Knights’ highlighted their effort by throwing out a runner at the plate in the second inning.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
-
Murakami is working on a two-year, $34 million deal, and in an era when some teams try to lock up young talent with long and lucrative contract extensions, a 25-game sample size is a little too small for Getz to start throwing out more years and dollars.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
