Below are some figurative illustrations of the strength of each word or idiom. They should not be taken as literal definitions. . Decline; gracefully not accept. For example; bow politely, step back and say no thank you. . Turn down; not accept. Example; a contract has been offered to you. You don't like the contract, so you turn it face down on the table to demons
Does this mean that it's correct to write as I have done below? And that the difference between the two options is the that the second sentence tells the reader that the "he" was sort of frustrated?
When asked about the money, he declined to answer.
When asked about the money, he rejected to answer.