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

Upon taking office, the Biden administration stopped turning away unaccompanied child migrants, attempted to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations for 100 days, and suspended border wall construction. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Along with that revenue loss, 56% of operators say a no-show means turning away other bookings, while 51% cite staff costs and 49% report wasted food or stock, the study found. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

As Gaza was reduced to ashes, the whole world watched—and turned away. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Beijing’s bet on embodied AI is not a turn away from software or a concession in the software race with Washington. — Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 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