refusing
Turning it down
Refusing is declining to do, accept, or allow something.
A person refuses an offer, a request, or an order: She refused to answer questions.
Objects can refuse in an extended sense—a door that refuses to open, an engine that refuses to start.
The word carries more force than simply saying no; it implies firmness or resistance.
Keeping from another
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- preventingStopping before occurrence
- barringExcluding from consideration
- forbiddingIntimidatingly stern or hostile
prohibiting · restricting · rejecting · disallowing · vetoing · obstructing · impeding · stonewalling
Decreasing in strength
- rejectingRefusing to accept
- resistingActively opposing pressure
- denyingRefusing to acknowledge
- rebuffingCurtly refusing or dismissing
opposing · disobeying · protesting · dissenting · defying · noncompliance · pushback · stubbornness
Deliberately staying clear
- refrainingChoosing not to act
- abstainingVoluntarily doing without
- forgoingVoluntarily doing without
- renouncingFormally abandoning a claim
eschewing · rejecting · giving up · quitting · sobriety · temperance · fasting · diet
Decreasing in strength
- turning downRefusing to accept
- passingMoving by or temporary
- demurringPolitely declining or objecting
- begging offRequesting release from obligation
regrets · RSVP · invitation · graciously · tactfully · apologetically · diplomatically · respectfully
withholding
Keeping from another
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- preventingStopping before occurrence
- barringExcluding from consideration
forbidding · prohibiting · restricting · rejecting · disallowing · vetoing · obstructing · impeding · stonewalling · shutting out
declining
Decreasing in strength
rebuffing · opposing · disobeying · protesting · dissenting · defying · noncompliance · pushback · stubbornness · obstinacy
avoiding
Deliberately staying clear
- refrainingChoosing not to act
- abstainingVoluntarily doing without
- forgoingVoluntarily doing without
renouncing · eschewing · rejecting · giving up · quitting · sobriety · temperance · fasting · diet · celibacy
declining
Decreasing in strength
- turning downRefusing to accept
- passingMoving by or temporary
- demurringPolitely declining or objecting
begging off · regrets · RSVP · invitation · graciously · tactfully · apologetically · diplomatically · respectfully · courteously
malfunctioning
Operating incorrectly or failing
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
stuck · jammed · broken · starting · ignition · engine · computer · booting · frozen · uncooperative
- acting outtantrums, tantrum, meltdowns, pouting, whining
- verbal responsesreplying, responding, retorting, confirming, denying
- standing upstanding up, standing ground, speaking out, speaking truth, fighting back
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- abstinencesobriety, celibacy, chastity, teetotalism, fasting
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
refusingaccepting
Willing to receive
agreeing · consenting · receiving · taking · embracing
refusingallowing
Granting permission to proceed
permitting · granting · authorizing · approving · letting
refuse, refused, refusal, refuses, refusals, refuser, refusers, refusable, unrefusable