as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation
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 turndown
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
Guests can expect amenities such as 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping (including a turndown service), free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor pool.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2024
Steve Sonnenberg, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The family said prosecutors turned down the request, explaining that an offer already accepted by the defendant could not ethically be changed.
—Kayna Whitworth, ABC News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
The list of turndowns for Globes hosts has been high in recent years.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
Guests can expect amenities such as 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping (including a turndown service), free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor pool.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
Don’t punish someone for turning down a project or expressing concern over their workload.
—Steve Sonnenberg, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The family said prosecutors turned down the request, explaining that an offer already accepted by the defendant could not ethically be changed.
—Kayna Whitworth, ABC News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
-
But Committee Chair James Comer criticized O'Conner over his refusal to answer questions saying there had been a conspiracy to cover up Biden's cognitive decline.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
Also on Wednesday, the Trump administration sued the state over its refusal to ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ athletic programs.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
-
Glover refused, and Pierce told her to turn around as she was being arrested.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a legislative committee's rejection of a ban on conversion therapy was unconstitutional.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
-
Despite having a degree, Pal has faced rejections for jobs ranging from Uber corporate to local restaurant management. ¨A bachelor’s degree is just not enough,¨ Pal said.—
Sami Khan,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
If anyone else tries such commands, the AGI and ASI reject them summarily.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
New York’s 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Maxwell’s appeal effort last year, finding that the deal drawn up in 2007 and approved the following year only protected Epstein and his coconspirators in South Florida.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
That denial was corroborated by Secret Service documents, the report found.—
July 13,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
-
In the newest chapter in the struggle to preserve Oak Flat, currently a campground about 60 miles east of Phoenix, grassroots group Apache Stronghold asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its past denial and agree to hear what many religious leaders call a pivotal religious rights case.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
This story has been updated to note the FBI declined to comment.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
The important storyline over those weeks is about untapped potential, not declining numbers.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Her bag philosophy seems to revolve around practicality, which leads me to believe the princess had a bit more to carry with her than usual…or this braided summer tote was just too good to pass up.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
12 July 2025
-
The Dodgers have holes around the roster to fill, too, but landing a deal for Durán, while the righty is in the middle of a career year, would be too good to pass up on.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share