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
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
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
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
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Aries March 21 – April 19 The universe is turning down the volume.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning down
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
-
That means rejecting violent rhetoric, rejecting conspiracy theories and rejecting the impulse to use these moments for political gain.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Rescue sparks debate in country Officials in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said their strategy had focused on minimizing stress for the animal, rejecting public calls for the whale to be euthanized to end its suffering.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
29 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
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Charles compared people passing up investing in Amazon to how many publishers turned down the now wildly popular Harry Potter books.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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That could mean passing up his best chance at the Stanley Cup.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 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
-
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 3 May. 2026.
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