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

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

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
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.
Harper and Martinez said that their organizations never turn away pantry donations. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025 But when Sarah goes to the hospital to drop off a card for Dinah, she’s turned away by weirdly hostile staffers. Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Both actors are turned away from the camera. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 The Panthers tried Schmid 11 times -- include a Grade A look by Rodrigues that Schmid turned away with his stick. Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn away

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of turn away was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20away. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on turn away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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