1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rejecting
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
she refused the award, citing the hard work of others who deserved the recognition more than she did
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusing
Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The model is designed to provide helpful yet safe answers to sensitive questions, rather than simply refusing to respond as previous versions did.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Monarez was ousted after refusing to bend to pressure from top HHS officials to sign off on potential new vaccine restrictions, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Collier garnered national attention when was locked into the Texas Capitol after refusing to agree to DPS custody after breaking quorum.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Thunberg’s first attempt to enter Gaza this year ended with her and two others being deported from Israel, with nine others refusing deportation.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
His transformation in the first games at Everton has been dramatic, but his new coach is refusing to take any of the plaudits.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
The model is designed to provide helpful yet safe answers to sensitive questions, rather than simply refusing to respond as previous versions did.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Monarez was ousted after refusing to bend to pressure from top HHS officials to sign off on potential new vaccine restrictions, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Collier garnered national attention when was locked into the Texas Capitol after refusing to agree to DPS custody after breaking quorum.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Thunberg’s first attempt to enter Gaza this year ended with her and two others being deported from Israel, with nine others refusing deportation.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
His transformation in the first games at Everton has been dramatic, but his new coach is refusing to take any of the plaudits.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
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That’s until their cover in California Schemin’ as rapping imposters was blown and the emotional strain of denying their Scottishness and their fractured friendship revealed itself.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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At the time, a source told PEOPLE that Teefey and Gomez, Wondermind's chief impact officer, both stepped in to take action for their employees, while denying that Teefey took out a loan to pay salaries.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Bottom Line Gen Z isn’t rejecting career ambition—they’re redefining it around skill mastery, purpose and sustainable productivity rather than traditional hierarchies.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Even while rejecting many of the Administration’s demands, Harvard has in recent months made moves that share something of the flavor of the Administration’s preferences, beyond addressing antisemitism.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
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That growing influencer base among podcasters contrasts with the declining reach of legacy TV networks and cable channels.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the Supreme Court increasingly shows frustration with the overreach of lower court judges, the justices could be motivated to take up cases more quickly on matters where lower courts are ignoring their emergency docket orders, such as with the firing of independent agency heads.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
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As his profile began to grow on Grand Cayman, Santor became known for securing the best tables at restaurants and riding a scooter through island traffic, blithely ignoring suggestions to put on a helmet.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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