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

• 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

Gaza has cast a long shadow over the Venice Film Festival this year, starting with some uncomfortable questions about the conflict for this year’s jury and culminating in a march that was ultimately turned away from the festival’s Ground Zero. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025

The brain is surrounded by a layer of tightly joined cells, called the blood-brain barrier, that acts as a bouncer turning away any substances deemed unworthy of accessing our most precious resource. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 2 Sep. 2025

California Highway Patrol officers at D’Oro Court and Deer Valley Road turned away a near-constant stream of cars when the evacuation order was still in effect. —Jenavieve Hatch, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The move follows recent calls for Democrats to turn away AIPAC money as the war in Gaza continues. —Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for turn away

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• 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