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, avert

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

Synonyms

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

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

Wearing a fuzzy coat, Erin smiled as her daughters climbed all over her, heads turned away from the camera. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024

One playoff game, the arena was so packed, the dean of students turned away MC Hammer and his entourage at the door. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

Here's what to know about Biden's executive action on immigration: The executive action establishes a rule that will turn away migrants who are claiming asylum between ports of entry after there have been seven consecutive days of more than 2,500 encounters along the southern border. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 June 2024

Last year, more than 15,000 attended the ceremony, which was held in a public park, and many hundreds more were turned away for lack of space. —Eetta Prince-Gibson, TIME, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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