I really don't know, but I would suggest either resigning or offer a draw.
How do I decline a challenge?

If you want all challenges OFF, go to your Online Settings, at the bttom of the page you can check an option to receive no challenges.

Resigning and offering a draw are not the same as declining a challenge. Resignations and draw offers are methods of ending a game in progress, while declining a game challenge prevents a game from beginning.
The method of declining should be evident. Simply click the button labeled "Decline" or "No, thanks," or something similar.

thanks for the comments guys, I've set my setting to receive no challenges now, though Whirlwhind2011 in the online (under play>online chess) games doesn't seem to be any button to decline.
Not sure if I am just not in the right section etc.

If people offer you challenges on Chess.com then You can say "Yes" or "No".
This may seem trivial but I just now noticed this. Usually I just go straight to "review game" and that switches to a new window.

If people offer you challenges on Chess.com then You can say "Yes" or "No".
Thanks for this answer; At what point is this choice offered? I'm new to the desktop version, but on the iOS app, tapping on an incoming challenge launches the game as if you accepted; I see no way to decline.
Hi guys, wondering if anyone knows how to decline a challenge, I'm doing some study plans and want to focus on these.