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

Those turned away are instead turning up at the local pawn shop. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

South African pay television service DStv lost 84% of its subscribers in Kenya in the year to June 2025, as Kenyans turned away from the service amid rising living costs, according to the communications regulator’s data. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Some nurses had left the picket line to assist first responders but were turned away due to the labor dispute, The Detroit News reported. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025

Having women turn away from the drug with the least evidence of possible harm could have serious consequences. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 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