Looking for synonyms for refuse? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say refuse.
- Decline
- Reject
- Deny
- Repudiate
- Dismiss
- Turn down
- Spurn
- Renounce
- Disapprove
- Rebuff
- Withhold
- Repel
- Forsake
- Disallow
- Resist
- Disregard
- Negate
- Nix
- Veto
- Snub
Want to learn how to say refuse professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Decline
Appropriate use: Politely refusing an offer or invitation.
Example: “She had to decline the invitation to speak at the conference due to prior commitments.”
2. Reject
Appropriate use: Dismissing or refusing something, often strongly.
Example: “The committee decided to reject the proposal after careful consideration.”
3. Deny
Appropriate use: Refusing to admit the truth or existence of something.
Example: “The company denied any involvement in the alleged regulatory violations.”
4. Repudiate
Appropriate use: Refusing to accept or be associated with something.
Example: “The board decided to repudiate the controversial remarks made by the CEO.”
5. Dismiss
Appropriate use: Refusing to consider someone’s idea, opinion, or feelings as worthwhile.
Example: “The manager dismissed the suggestion as impractical without further discussion.”
6. Turn Down
Appropriate use: Refusing an offer or request.
Example: “He decided to turn down the job offer to pursue other opportunities.”
7. Spurn
Appropriate use: Rejecting someone or something disdainfully.
Example: “Her innovative ideas were initially spurned by the industry veterans.”
8. Renounce
Appropriate use: Formally declaring one’s abandonment of a claim, right, or possession.
Example: “He renounced his claim to the company’s leadership position.”
9. Disapprove
Appropriate use: Having or expressing an unfavorable opinion.
Example: “The board disapproved the new policy changes proposed by the management.”
10. Rebuff
Appropriate use: Rejecting someone or something abruptly.
Example: “Her request for additional funding was rebuffed by the finance department.”
11. Withhold
Appropriate use: Holding back or refusing to give something.
Example: “The auditor decided to withhold approval until the discrepancies were resolved.”
12. Repel
Appropriate use: Refusing to accept or be influenced by something.
Example: “His aggressive marketing tactics repelled potential clients.”
13. Forsake
Appropriate use: Abandoning something or someone.
Example: “She chose to forsake her former strategies in favor of more innovative approaches.”
14. Disallow
Appropriate use: Refusing to permit or declare invalid.
Example: “The regulatory agency disallowed the use of certain chemicals in the product.”
15. Resist
Appropriate use: Withstanding an action or effect.
Example: “The department resisted the changes in the operational process.”
16. Disregard
Appropriate use: Paying no attention or ignoring something.
Example: “The CEO disregarded the advisors’ warnings about market volatility.”
17. Negate
Appropriate use: Nullifying or invalidating something.
Example: “The new evidence served to negate the previous assumptions.”
18. Nix
Appropriate use: Informal; to put an end to or cancel something.
Example: “The project was nixed due to budget constraints.”
19. Veto
Appropriate use: Exercising a right to reject or forbid something.
Example: “The president of the organization decided to veto the committee’s decision.”
20. Snub
Appropriate use: Showing disdain or lack of interest by ignoring or rejecting.
Example: “The company snubbed the partnership offer from the competitor.”
