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
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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
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Recent Examples of turndown
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025
The DoubleTree Cookie debuted in 1986, and was placed in guestrooms as part of turndown service.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Skarsgård has returned to play Pennywise, a villain that King fans agreed the actor embodied to perfection, after initially turning down the chance to continue the character.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Noun
Indeed, the board’s few celebrity turndowns seem to have more to do with how no one was too intimidated to submit an application.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025
The DoubleTree Cookie debuted in 1986, and was placed in guestrooms as part of turndown service.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
But Perri likes to imagine the metaphor of a dial, where a patient is imagining the triggers and trying to turn down the fear.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Skarsgård has returned to play Pennywise, a villain that King fans agreed the actor embodied to perfection, after initially turning down the chance to continue the character.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turndown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turndown
Noun
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But Canales’ refusal to give Dowdle a far larger percentage of the carries than Hubbard based on the recent results just doesn’t pass the smell test with me.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
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His refusal didn’t sit well with her.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By refusing to specify details of the case, the government keeps the possibility alive of changing their reasoning or their claims to have the same effect for different reasons—just as the mob changes its reasoning for killing Cinna.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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If Taiwan refuses to capitulate in a quarantine or blockade, an invasion could follow.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Moore’s journey reveals how Black Nationalism emerged not simply as a rejection of American ideals, but as a demand for their true fulfillment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Trump imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies—Rosneft and Lukoil—for its rejection of a ceasefire, applying extra economic pressure on the Kremlin to make peace in Ukraine.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At that meeting, Buchanan's reappointment to a full five-year term on the housing authority's board was rejected in a 6-2 decision, with two city directors absent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Scholtes rejected a second-degree murder plea deal in March 2025 that would have resulted in a sentence of 10 to 25 years, according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Gibson, meanwhile, stuck to his denials.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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As the attacks were ongoing, so was a parallel exchange of accusations, denials, and access reversals.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Contract options exercised for 4 The club exercised contract options on Stephen Afrifa, Zorhan Bassong, Jansen Miller and John Pulskamp, while declining options for Tim Leibold, Nemanja Radoja, Ryan Schewe, Shelton and Mason Toye.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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However, her cousin the followed up, and the OP wrote back declining the invite.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Delay chose to pass up free agency at that point, instead sticking it out with Triple-A Gwinnett.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Pitt has rest/prep edge after playing last Thursday, Gee Bees have lost last six trips to it’s-still-Heinz Field-to-me, and Mike Tomlin as a home dog following a loss is too scrumptious to pass up.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turndown. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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