refusing

verb

present participle of refuse
1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 refusing Now a new report on the fallout from the investigation into that flyover is rattling the Defense Department and could lead to further delay in replacing the Army leader ousted for refusing to kill the probe. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 After slowly changing the theatrical underworld as the king of midnight movies, Curry spent the rest of his acting career gleefully refusing to be pinned down. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 Walking away or refusing to respond leaves the other person wondering whether the conversation—or even the relationship—is over. — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Ten years before his conviction, Cacioppo spent months in prison for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating mob influences in the adult entertainment industry. — Jack Harvel august 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Washington is also threatening damaging new sanctions on countries refusing to cut economic ties with Iran. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 ProPublica reporter Audrey Dutton obtained coroner and law enforcement records for deaths of children whose parents self-identified as refusing medical care for religious reasons. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 The object of his attention is Alexander Isak, the striker who left Newcastle for Liverpool a year ago after downing tools and refusing to play and is now back on Tyneside for the first time. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Ruby Ridge is where white separatist Randy Weaver barricaded himself, his family, and a friend in a remote Idaho cabin after refusing to appear in court on federal weapons charges. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusing
  1. denying
  2. rejecting
  3. declining
  4. ignoring
Verb
  • The first case was settled out of court, with the artist denying allegations and claiming fair use through her legal representative.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The drone in question was powered by a Nvidia minicomputer not sold in Russia but available through resale markets, highlighting the difficulties in denying tech to US adversaries.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of denying
Verb
  • The Assembly plan calls for rejecting the governor’s cap on certain damages that people can receive.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The council would have the final say in approving — or rejecting — Lucas’ nomination.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejecting
Verb
  • The Little Rock School District faces declining enrollment and financial challenges.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The cliff bee population is declining due to overharvesting, habitat destruction and climate change.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of declining
Verb
  • There is a danger in drawing comparisons between current events and the Nazi Holocaust, but there is a greater danger in ignoring the similarities.
    — David Pollak, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • When a motorist receives a moving violation, there are consequences for ignoring the summons.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignoring

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refuses
refusing
refutable
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Cite this Entry

“Refusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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