as in to repel
to drive back
using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of turn away
Not even an epic night from Archbishop Mitty’s Aaron Gordon — 50 points — was enough to turn away the Nuggets.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Of course young voters are turning away from the president.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The Spaniard receives with his back to goal and turns away from Morato before being brought down.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Bradley cited the classic work of sociology, Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, with the memorable thesis that Americans were turning away from community.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn away
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Of course young voters are turning away from the president.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The Spaniard receives with his back to goal and turns away from Morato before being brought down.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Bradley cited the classic work of sociology, Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, with the memorable thesis that Americans were turning away from community.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn away
Verb
-
Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Scientists have also proposed that stabilimenta shield spiders from harsh ultraviolet rays, convey water for the arachnids to drink, or can either visually attract or repel prey.—
Andrea Tamayo,
Scientific American,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Of course, one major qualifier for this is the fact there are plenty of reasons for even moderate Democrats to be repulsed at the idea of electing Cuomo.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On this play, Tegra Tshabola got beat off the ball, forcing Donaldson to take a different hole before running into a defender who center Carson Hinzman was on until the hole shifted.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP What To Know Obama beat off stiff competition from the likes of David Attenborough and Tom Hanks to win the Outstanding Narrator prize for his narration of the five-part Netflix series Our Oceans, which examines marine life across the world's oceans.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, something is being done to help stave off further damage.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
During Game 3 of the American League Division Series, Judge hit a game-tying, three-run rocket to stave off his team’s elimination by the Blue Jays.—
Steve Rushin,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20away. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share