TURNING DOWN Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

turning down

verb

present participle of turn down

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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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 For McConaughey, turning down The Last of Us was less about the material and more about his own life’s circumstances. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026 Here are six signs that turning down a job offer deserves serious consideration. — Kathy Caprino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said the city has spent four years turning down redevelopment offers for Palmetto Research Park in an effort to hold the property for higher-wage employers. — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 Value your time by turning down unpaid tasks. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026 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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down

Verb

Wars cannot be fought on ideology alone – a truism that perhaps led to the firebrand former defense minister’s departure, after months of clashes and refusing to deal with the army top brass, as Zelensky describes it.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Larkin, whose grassroots campaign made national headlines in recent weeks, often criticized Moskowitz for refusing to debate him or participate in joint interviews with local news organizations.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

The issue has split circuit courts, with the 9th Circuit (which Idaho is part of) and six other circuit courts rejecting the administration’s position.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
These critiques assume that people rejecting vaccines have access to good information about them, but that’s not always the case, Marnik said.

— Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

The Swift Observatory has been observing the cosmos for more than two-decades, but its rapidly declining orbit has put it in jeopardy of reentering Earth's atmosphere and burning up.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
In addition, authorities criticized John and Patsy for declining formal police interviews for several months.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The Emmys’ producers passing up on even the slightest possibility of a Werner Herzog acceptance speech is sheer lunacy.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026
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

Definition of passing up

Verb

Tatis dealt with Patrick throwing over twice, and catcher Gary Sánchez snapping off a pickoff throw.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Later in the inning, though the run would have likely scored anyway, the usually strong relay combination of center fielder Andy Pages and Betts ended with Betts throwing over catcher Ben Rortvedt.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of throwing over

Verb

The team has also maintained a relationship with his widow and daughters, with Bianka Bryant throwing out the first pitch and Capri Bryant announcing the start of the game during a bobblehead night for the late legend last year.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
McCray impacted the game on the bases by stealing second and on a sacrifice fly, then showed off his arm in the top of the 10th by throwing out a runner at third to end the inning.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 July 2026

Definition of throwing out

Browse Nearby Words

turning color

turning down

turning in

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“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of turning down

verb

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