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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down

Verb

Oyer said she was fired for refusing to write a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi recommending that actor Mel Gibson have his firearm rights restored.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
But more often, those fighting trafficking live in their own silos, doing their own work, and often failing or refusing to share even scant details with other jurisdictions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

One bill sought to lower the threshold for rejecting district court judges in retention elections from 50% of the vote plus one to 40%.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
White collar workers are rejecting their company’s AI tools, just as protests against data centers increase across the country.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Idaho’s divorce rate has been steadily declining for nearly half a century, and since 2020, has been below the low-water mark set in 1956, according to data collected since 1950.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 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

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

Definition of throwing over

Verb

According to an affidavit for arrest obtained by CNN, Roper and the other teen suspect are accused of throwing out Erving’s clothes and driving away from the scene.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
An earlier decision from the court throwing out Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act came early enough that some red states were able to scramble and redraw congressional district lines to further favor Republicans.

— Tamara Keith, NPR, 1 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of turning down

verb

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