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

Hugo Lloris turned away one shot for LAFC (10-6-4), which had piled up 11 goals in its previous four matches. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Your building staff has been instructed to refuse entry to City inspectors sent to investigate these complaints, as we are constantly turned away. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Other inmates tried to join the fight but were turned away by Arevalos, who was portrayed by authorities as orchestrating the attack. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Her family tried repeatedly to visit her but were turned away. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 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