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
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
Stanley Tucci is opening up about turning down opportunities to take part in food competition shows.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Throughout the shutdown, local TSA workers reported turning down doctor visits for their children, borrowing money from in-laws, pulling funds from savings, taking second jobs and missing credit card payments.
—Sacbee.com, 2 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
That’s what was needed to justify turning down an offer with a big premium from a legitimate business — no matter the board’s preferred outcome for the company.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
When that venture didn’t work out, Elliott returned to the recording business, turning down overtures from Emanuel, who was the best man at his wedding, to work as an agent.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are among the sport’s top stars to steadfastly remain loyal to the PGA Tour, with Woods turning down an offer from LIV Golf of $800 million in 2022.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Some also favor turning down the heat and simmering eggs.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Stanley Tucci is opening up about turning down opportunities to take part in food competition shows.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Throughout the shutdown, local TSA workers reported turning down doctor visits for their children, borrowing money from in-laws, pulling funds from savings, taking second jobs and missing credit card payments.
—Sacbee.com, 2 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
That’s what was needed to justify turning down an offer with a big premium from a legitimate business — no matter the board’s preferred outcome for the company.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
When that venture didn’t work out, Elliott returned to the recording business, turning down overtures from Emanuel, who was the best man at his wedding, to work as an agent.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are among the sport’s top stars to steadfastly remain loyal to the PGA Tour, with Woods turning down an offer from LIV Golf of $800 million in 2022.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Some also favor turning down the heat and simmering eggs.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
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Moreover, lawmakers are engaged in budget negotiations, where the House is refusing to fund several of DeSantis’ priorities.—
Gray Rohrer,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
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Former Representative Elizabeth Holtzman, one of the co-authors, has portrayed the act as a corrective to the moral failure of refusing entry to many Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But the system kept rejecting it, saying my Colorado driver license wasn’t from the United States.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
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When Nita rebuffs the advances of the lightweight cad Christophe (who’s Pierre’s brother), that’s the one focused emotion in the movie — a woman rejecting workplace harassment.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Black Bear officials cited the program's declining participation rates and finances as the reason.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Sadly, bat populations are declining rapidly in North America.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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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
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But Belchetz, though imperfect, is a bit of a unicorn that teams will have a tough time passing up on in this range.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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On Thursday, Gonzalez highlighted the defense by throwing out a runner at the plate in the second.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20down. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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