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

Ensuring no one is turned away, making a difference in our community. —Megan Shinn, CBS News, 17 May 2026

Lucas Hoyos turned away two shots for Atlanta United (3-8-2). —ABC News, 16 May 2026

Bumper-to-bumper traffic continued to line the surrounding streets, and scores of people were turned away empty-handed. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

And even then, access isn’t guaranteed; capacity limits can still leave you waiting or turned away. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 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