1
as in denies
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rejects
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
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Recent Examples of refuses
Swart said the unrest after the shooting underscores why his firm refuses to participate in confrontational activity.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
The problem is that the show refuses to update its Rolodex.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
Someone else who has been addressing artificial intelligence head on has been Julia Roberts, who has been one of its most vociferous critics and refuses to even use ChatGPT.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
If the league refuses to meet these demands, players should not hesitate to lock out.
—Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
If California refuses to pay its unemployment insurance debt, Congress has tools to respond.
—Vince Fong, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Still, Hamas refuses to disarm.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The place is decaying and strict, but Luna refuses to give in to its rules.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
But Chiles refuses to let anyone’s score define her.
—Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuses
Verb
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Despite the demand letter, Daou denies any allegations the family attempted to steal from the park.—
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He is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, but denies the allegations.—
Verb
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Judge rejects diversion program In November, Yolo Superior Court Judge Paul Richardson rejected Trauernicht’s request to suspend his case and admit him into a mental health diversion program.—
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But Schelling rejects the idea that working in a shop is settling.—
Verb
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Independent energy analyst Rachel Ziemba, who agrees major oil companies may hesitate, also notes that declines in the price of crude – the raw material for consumer products like gasoline – are often not fully passed on to consumers.—
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Verb
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In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
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That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Cite this Entry
“Refuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuses. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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