turn away

verb

turned away; turning away; turns away

transitive verb

1

a

: to refuse admittance or acceptance to

b

: to send away : reject, dismiss

c

: repel

2

: deflect sense 2, avert

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

Synonyms of turn away

• repel
• turn back
• resist
• repulse
• fend (off)
• beat off
• stave off

Examples of turn away in a Sentence

using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

Recent Examples on the Web

But on the final Sunday Joe’s stayed open, the restaurant turned away hundreds of people already in line rather than risk cutting corners on quality. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 July 2026

The insect naturally turns away when an antenna touches an obstacle. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

Never one to turn away from a challenge, the former Lakers star continued his education, earning an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2005 and a Doctorate in Education from Barry University in 2012. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

When the men complain of medical conditions to the officers, they are frequently turned away, the families and detainees said in recordings obtained by the Herald. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for turn away

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

turn away

verb

: to refuse to let in : send away

all the seats were sold and a large crowd had to be turned away