as in refuses
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 turns down
Sentimental Value stars Stellan Skarsgård as an aging film director whose attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) are made difficult after Nora turns down a part in his next movie.
—
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
And of course, with TV contracts, no one ever turns down the money.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Later, Taylor turns down a job offer that would bring him back to the Dillon Panthers so his wife, Tami (Britton), can pursue her dream job in Philadelphia.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
And of course, with TV contracts, no one ever turns down the money.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Later, Taylor turns down a job offer that would bring him back to the Dillon Panthers so his wife, Tami (Britton), can pursue her dream job in Philadelphia.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns down
Verb
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Swart said the unrest after the shooting underscores why his firm refuses to participate in confrontational activity.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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The problem is that the show refuses to update its Rolodex.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Judge rejects diversion program In November, Yolo Superior Court Judge Paul Richardson rejected Trauernicht’s request to suspend his case and admit him into a mental health diversion program.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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But Schelling rejects the idea that working in a shop is settling.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Independent energy analyst Rachel Ziemba, who agrees major oil companies may hesitate, also notes that declines in the price of crude – the raw material for consumer products like gasoline – are often not fully passed on to consumers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turns down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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