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

Foti turned away for a second to shield the radio. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

The deal demonstrates the operational shift by international oil companies (IOC) into Nigeria’s offshore industry, turning away from onshore assets following a wave of theft and vandalism along oil pipelines. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 1 Dec. 2025

That book felt like a way to not turn away from what was happening without getting into a rhythm of semi-lobotomized consumer of horrors. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The netminder turned away the first bid that came right back to Rasmussen and then Swayman managed to get his glove on the second, more dangerous chance. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 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