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refusing

ADJECTIVE
negative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse gloomy pessimistic unfavorable weak
STRONG
abrogating annulling anti con contrary contravening denying disallowing disavowing dissenting gainsaying impugning invalidating jaundiced naysaying neutralizing nullifying opposing recusant rejecting removed resisting
WEAK
against antagonistic balky colorless counteractive cynical detrimental dissentient nugatory privative repugnant resistive unaffirmative unenthusiastic uninterested unwilling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
favorable
WEAK
good positive
ADJECTIVE
noncompliant
Synonyms
STRONG
belligerent irregular negative refractory
WEAK
contumacious declinatory declining divergent impatient objecting rebellious recalcitrant restive truculent
Antonyms
WEAK
compliant obedient subservient willing
NOUN
denial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disapproval rebuttal rejection repudiation retraction veto
STRONG
adjuration brush-off contradiction declination disavowal disclaimer disproof dissent forswearing nay negation negative nix nonacceptance prohibition protestation rebuff refutal refutation renouncement renunciation repulse turndown
WEAK
abstaining cold shoulder controversion disallowance dismissing gainsaying noncommittal refraining rejecting renegement repudiating statement abnegation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allowance approval confirmation ratification sanction
STRONG
agreement permission
WEAK
affirmation avowal claim corroboration vouching
NOUN
traversal
Synonyms
STRONG
abnegation adjuration brush-off contradiction declination disaffirmation disapproval disavowal disclaimer disproof dissent forswearing nay negation negative nix nonacceptance prohibition protestation rebuff rebuttal refutal refutation rejection renouncement renunciation repudiation repulse retraction statement turndown veto
WEAK
abstaining cold shoulder controversion disaffirmance disallowance dismissing gainsaying noncommittal refraining rejecting renegement repudiating
Antonyms
STRONG
OK acceptance agreement allowance approval confirmation corroboration endorsement permission ratification sanction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Refusing to follow it is a breach of trust.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Refusing to play the role assigned to them, Somali Americans flipped the power dynamic by going for the punchline.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2025

Refusing to sell data is different from not licensing or sharing data.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2025

"Because our Yatai City is completely open to anyone who can go in and out freely. Refusing customers, for a businessman like me, is really difficult. This is my weakness."

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2025

Refusing to be any place at all, or any thing but itself: the animal kingdom making hay in the kingdom of glory.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver