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Dictionarydeclinerefusal
verb

decline

to refuse politely

She politely declines the invitation because of another commitment.

Etymology
declineLatinturn aside

The Latin verb means to turn aside. Declining an invitation or offer turns away from accepting it, often with the courteous restraint suggested by the modern verb.

More examples

  • He declined a second serving.
  • They are declining offers until the review ends.
  • The company had declined to comment.

Forms

decline · declines · declined · declining

Similar words

refuse
May be firmer and less polite.
reject
Reject can be more forceful or final than a polite refusal.