refusing

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.

But so much of American public discourse, over the last decade or so, has involved refusing to “observe the observable,” in Joan Didion’s famous phrase.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

Living in separate homes, acting as if your house is a teenage crash pad and refusing to make any changes to his habits treats you like girlfriend/boyfriend rather than husband/wife.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

During the Ashes, Ecclestone made headlines for refusing an interview with former team-mate turned broadcaster Alex Hartley, who was working for Australia's Channel 7.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

She called the network’s decision to allow her contract to expire “a deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize factually accurate reporting” that “sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

A wisp of it floats through my thoughts like a string of sticky spider webbing, always clinging to me somewhere, refusing to let go entirely.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam