REFUSING Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

refusing

verb

present participle of refuse

as in denying

to be unwilling to grant the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 There’s something to be said for refusing to budge from your core principles of timeless design, high-quality materials and a focus on natural fibers for four decades. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 That brought a public outcry and boycott that led to NBC refusing to air the awards in 2022. — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Similarly, Shopify founder Tobi Lütke built a global e-commerce giant from Ottawa, refusing to sell early or relocate to Silicon Valley. — Kumaran Nadesan, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Clayton attracted attention during his confirmation hearing for refusing to say who won the 2020 election. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Some supporters may have been sceptical at the time — but if these two deals end up getting done, if nothing else, Chelsea could not be accused of refusing to budge from their previous approach. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 28 July 2026 Oyer said she was fired for refusing to write a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi recommending that actor Mel Gibson have his firearm rights restored. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026 But more often, those fighting trafficking live in their own silos, doing their own work, and often failing or refusing to share even scant details with other jurisdictions. — Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 Rory McIlroy claimed that DeChambeau was holding the final major of the golf season hostage after refusing to sign his second-round scorecard after finishing. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing

Verb

In the early 1930s, the Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times correspondent Walter Duranty wrote stories denying the famine that Joseph Stalin’s forced-collectivization policies were causing in Ukraine and mocked journalists who reported the truth.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Human rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of denying defendants due process, relying on coerced confessions and carrying out executions after unfair trials.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

The 9th Circuit joined the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th Circuits in rejecting the administration’s policy, countering the 5th and 8th Circuits, which have said the policy is lawful.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) later came out with statements rejecting FIFA’s proposal, but stopping short of a boycott.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

Wine consumption as a whole is declining, according to the French Agriculture Ministry, with the government funding permanent vineyard removal in some cases.

— Martina Di Licosa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Some factors outside of districts’ control, such as the declining birth rate and competition with the private sector, could be contributing to this trend, according to local and state education leaders.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Renner said Donalds is ignoring base Republican voters in his campaign, especially by refusing to debate him, Collins and conservative activist and investor James Fishback.

— Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Traditional lenders remain hesitant about self-employment income, often ignoring or penalizing applicants whose taxable net returns don't reflect their actual cash flow, despite gig workers diversifying their risk through multiple income streams.

— Efri Argaman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of ignoring

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refuses

refusing

refutable

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“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of refusing

verb

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