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 1, 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

After Matheson’s shorthanded bid was turned away, Charlie McAvoy zipped the puck up to Pastrnak on the left side. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

According to the Fort Collins Rescue Mission, more than one dozen people over the last few nights have had to be turned away from the shelter. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026

Many airport lounges have also faced crowding issues, sometimes implementing time limits on lounge usage or having to turn away customers due to a lack of space. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026

Early Thursday afternoon, Homeland Security shared a video of Allen, with her hands behind her back, being arrested by several law enforcement agents, whose faces are pixelated or turned away from the camera. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

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