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 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
No one is turning down the heat.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 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
Torquing and turning down a mountain at 85 miles per hour without an ACL – its sole anatomical purpose is to connect the femur to the tibia and protect the bones from shifting – is, at best, not recommended and, at worst, slightly reckless.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
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
No one is turning down the heat.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 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
Torquing and turning down a mountain at 85 miles per hour without an ACL – its sole anatomical purpose is to connect the femur to the tibia and protect the bones from shifting – is, at best, not recommended and, at worst, slightly reckless.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
-
Trump has broadly defended his aggressive deportation campaign and blamed local officials for refusing to cooperate.—
Suryatapa Chakraborty,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Douglas said some providers fear losing positions or facing consequences for refusing to treat patients or perform actions that violate their ethical principles.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Owens made the case that under the stadium incentive package approved by lawmakers in 2024 and the tentative STAR bond agreement negotiated by Toland on behalf of the state, rejecting the sports authority bill would only give the executive branch more control over the project.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
They are socialized in a world of makeup tutorials, fashion magazines, and objectifying advertisements—not to mention feminist commentary and pop songs about rejecting or healthily navigating image standards.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The grand jury had the options of handing up an indictment, declining to indict and issuing a report known as a presentment.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 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
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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
-
Speaking at Polar Park prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the WooSox’s season opener, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was asked about the post.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Yankees scored their first two runs of the day on Ben Rice’s two-run double off right-hander Tyler Mahle in the third, but Ramos prevented New York from taking on a third run in the frame by throwing out Rice at the plate to end the inning.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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