1
as in denied
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declined
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
as in rejected
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 refused
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
In southern Gaza, a group opposed to Hamas known as the Popular Forces has refused to lay down its arms.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, Spurs’ chairman at the time Daniel Levy refused to rule out a groundshare with Arsenal when both were planning to build new grounds.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Democrats in Congress have demanded extending health care subsidies in any funding bill to reopen the government, while Republicans have refused to consider that until the shutdown ends.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
At one point, the satirical news site The Onion tried to purchase InfoWars at a bankruptcy auction, but the court refused to approve the sale.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Israel views him and some others as terrorist masterminds who murdered Israeli civilians and has refused to release them in past exchanges.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The pilot was able to get himself out and was evaluated by crews on the scene, but refused transportation to the hospital, Lee said.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Ares was in development for a decade, but former Disney exec Sean Bailey refused to give up and shepherded the project when serving as head of Disney’s live-action studio.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
In southern Gaza, a group opposed to Hamas known as the Popular Forces has refused to lay down its arms.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, Spurs’ chairman at the time Daniel Levy refused to rule out a groundshare with Arsenal when both were planning to build new grounds.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Democrats in Congress have demanded extending health care subsidies in any funding bill to reopen the government, while Republicans have refused to consider that until the shutdown ends.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
At one point, the satirical news site The Onion tried to purchase InfoWars at a bankruptcy auction, but the court refused to approve the sale.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Israel views him and some others as terrorist masterminds who murdered Israeli civilians and has refused to release them in past exchanges.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The pilot was able to get himself out and was evaluated by crews on the scene, but refused transportation to the hospital, Lee said.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refused
Verb
-
Through a lawyer, Minaj denied the claims.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Wendi and her father Harvey have not been charged with any crime and have denied involvement in the plot.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Much of the derision was coming from the performers’ contemporaries — some of whom had rejected the invite on moral and political grounds, but many who were not actually invited to perform.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Some 88 percent of mice rejected pancreatic cancer, 75 percent of mice did for breast cancer and 69 percent rejected melanoma tumors.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through his attorney, Farley has consistently declined to comment on the allegations against him.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
As a boy, Kai’s father, Hans-Jürgen — who was the fourth of Rudolph’s five children — declined to go into much detail about Rudolph’s past with his son.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The mass firings come just two months after the CDC experienced a mass exodus of top officials from the agency, who said they were prompted to resign in August after Kennedy sidelined officials and ignored scientific research and protocols since he was assigned to his role to lead the department.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Yet when spring training rolls back around next year, the Yankees’ promise to fans will begin anew and recent shortcomings will be ignored.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Transparency instead of testing Where the vetoed SB 1047 would have mandated safety testing and kill switches for AI systems, the new law focuses on disclosure.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refused. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share