request rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

"request rejected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate that a request has been turned down or denied. For example: "After careful consideration, I'm sorry to inform you that your request for a leave of absence has been rejected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

After having my request rejected, I'm often disheartened or left suppressing resentment.

The New York Times

Haringey tried to prevent the naming of Chew and other Haringey staff in the formal judicial review ruling, a request rejected by the judge, Anthony Thornton.

The Guardian

Exactly that scenario is now unfolding between Blackpool and Charlie Adam following confirmation that the midfielder has had a transfer request rejected by the Premier League newcomers.

The Guardian - Sport

Rangers manager Walter Smith does not anticipate an extension to the season to cope with a potential backlog of fixtures after the Ibrox club had a similar request rejected three seasons ago.

Independent

The Everton manager admits Stones has been "mixed up" by Chelsea's pursuit and that his transfer request – rejected in a meeting between Martínez and the player before Kenwright's statement – stemmed from receiving "the wrong advice".

The Guardian - Sport

Though fathers have equal access to the right to request flexible working, introduced in 2003, they are less likely to use it and more likely to have their request rejected.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The admittance decision is either accept a request, reject a request or preempt some low priority requests and outsource them to a public cloud.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Bloomberg reported that Apple customers attempting to purchase apps have seen their requests rejected.

The Guardian - Money

"I've had FOIA requests rejected out of hand in ways that were clearly illegitimate," Taibbi said via e-mail.

The New York Times - Books

Until a suitable solution to the Cyprus problem is found, Turkey will continue to find its EU accession requests rejected.

The Guardian

Aboriginal Traditional Owners opposed to the dump plan had their meeting requests rejected and correspondence effectively ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a specific modifier, such as 'transfer', 'funding', or 'asylum', to provide immediate context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using 'rejected' when you intend to describe the emotional state of the person. While a person might feel 'dejected' after having their request dismissed, the action performed on the document or plea itself is always 'rejected'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request rejected" typically functions as a noun phrase followed by a passive participle. In many of the examples provided by Ludwig, it serves as the object of a sentence (e.g., "had his transfer "request rejected"") or as a concise summary in a report. Ludwig AI confirms this structure is standard for reporting outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "request rejected" is a robust and grammatically correct phrase frequently used in high-level journalism and formal reporting. According to Ludwig, it effectively describes the definitive denial of a proposal or application. While it is highly efficient in its neutral form, writers should consider synonyms like "request declined" for more sensitive or polite business communications. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in contexts involving sports transfers, legal appeals, and administrative waivers, proving its versatility across diverse professional fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request denied

Shifts the focus to an administrative or authoritative decision, often used in legal or official contexts

request declined

Provides a more polite and softer tone, suitable for formal invitations or professional suggestions

request refused

Conveys a stronger, more emphatic sense of opposition or personal agency in the denial

request turned down

Uses a phrasal verb to create a slightly more idiomatic and less formal expression

application rejected

Specifies that the item being denied is a formal application for a position, permit, or membership

proposal rejected

Used specifically when a plan or suggestion has been dismissed by a decision-making body

request rebuffed

Suggests a cold or blunt rejection, often implying a lack of consideration for the asker

petition denied

Commonly found in legal settings involving formal written requests to a court or government

plea rejected

Indicates a more emotional or desperate request has been turned away

motion dismissed

A technical legal term used when a judge decides not to allow a specific legal argument or request to proceed

FAQs

How do you use "request rejected" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone result or within a sentence, such as: "The player was disappointed to find his transfer "request rejected" by the club management."

What can I say instead of "request rejected"?

Depending on the level of formality, you can use phrases like "request denied", "request declined", or "request turned down".

Is it more correct to say "request rejected" or "request denied"?

Both are correct. "request rejected" is often used for physical or formal submissions like applications, while "request denied" is frequently used in legal, military, or administrative contexts.

Can "request rejected" be used in formal emails?

Yes, but it can sound blunt. In professional correspondence, it is often better to use "unable to grant your request" to maintain a polite tone.