1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 refusing
Each time, Banchero was at the center of it, creating offense, absorbing contact and refusing to let the game slip entirely out of reach.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.
—Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Kudos to the Chicago Cubs for refusing to use sound effects or scoreboard graphics to tell their fans when to get excited.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In turn, some housing advocates insist that Vessel’s critics — especially in affluent suburbs with restrictive zoning — are merely practicing NIMBYism in disguise, conjuring up hypothetical or far-fetched traffic or groundwater threats to justify refusing zoning permits.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
The State of Florida -- at the behest of the University of Florida Health Hospital in Jacksonville -- was asking for an emergency hearing because Doyley, who had 3 previous cesarean sections (C-sections) was refusing another.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The legislators driving this legislation have shown great courage refusing to cave to CVS’s pressure campaign.
—Hendrell Remus, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2026
Even some Democrats who had previously voted in favor of Section 702 in 2024 are now refusing to reauthorize the law without meaningful amendments.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
But by refusing to answer even the most basic disclosure-and-recusal questions, the network is asking the public to simply trust that its internal standards worked exactly as intended.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
His process of doing so involved disparaging his accusers, browbeating people and institutions that no longer wanted to be associated with him, and refusing to accept a path that precluded a return to being a public figure.
—Elizabeth Spiers, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Kudos to the Chicago Cubs for refusing to use sound effects or scoreboard graphics to tell their fans when to get excited.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In turn, some housing advocates insist that Vessel’s critics — especially in affluent suburbs with restrictive zoning — are merely practicing NIMBYism in disguise, conjuring up hypothetical or far-fetched traffic or groundwater threats to justify refusing zoning permits.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
The State of Florida -- at the behest of the University of Florida Health Hospital in Jacksonville -- was asking for an emergency hearing because Doyley, who had 3 previous cesarean sections (C-sections) was refusing another.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The legislators driving this legislation have shown great courage refusing to cave to CVS’s pressure campaign.
—Hendrell Remus, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2026
Even some Democrats who had previously voted in favor of Section 702 in 2024 are now refusing to reauthorize the law without meaningful amendments.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
But by refusing to answer even the most basic disclosure-and-recusal questions, the network is asking the public to simply trust that its internal standards worked exactly as intended.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
Verb
-
Advocates say the right to request asylum is enshrined in the country's immigration law and say denying migrants that right puts people fleeing war or persecution in grave danger.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Yet there’s no denying that Renny Harlin, in his utilitarian action-hack way, has some chops.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Celtics also blocked three of the Sixers’ final four shots of the third, with Jordan Walsh, Brown and Vucevic all rejecting layups.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Jan Jones' embrace of Jackson could be the start of a tide of state House Republicans rejecting the lieutenant governor after years of feeling burned by his attempts to impose his will on the lower chamber.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reports in 2024 and 2025 indicated declining health, including low blood pressure, dizziness and heart problems, but these claims could not be independently verified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Now these countries, like much of the world, are facing declining birth rates that threaten to upend their economies.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors accused the trust, which convinced a federal district judge to order a temporary pause in construction, of ignoring claims that the project is needed to bolster national security.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But three days after withdrawing the lawsuit, Florida sued CMS for a third time, accusing the federal agency of ignoring the state’s public records request related to CMS’ approval of the KidCare expansion.—
Daniel Chang,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
