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

This is not true; no technology or social evolution is inevitable, and even some young people are already turning away from them. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

In three more states, many eligible families who applied were simply turned away. — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Exposure to art could melt hard hearts, or turn away the sword. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Ultimately, Cramer said investors have turned away from the Magnificent Seven just as the companies could begin reaping the rewards of their massive AI investments. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 3 Sep. 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