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

Once through, he was seen speaking with United Airlines employees multiple times and attempting to board at least one flight — each time being turned away when his boarding pass failed to scan, court documents say. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026

The challenge is especially difficult for those who operate hospitals that can’t turn away patients who are unable to pay. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Shipowners recently told Bloomberg that Iranian fast boats approached a group of vessels transiting through the strait, but turned away after helicopters suddenly appeared. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026

The court turned away the appeal without comment. —ABC News, 3 June 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