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

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The call was overturned, and the Royals were turned away amid heavy boos from the crowd. Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025 The clinic saw people with treatable cancers whose cases were turned away from local hospital after local hospital. Rachel Pearson, New Yorker, 13 July 2025 Some business leaders say they have been left uneasy about business travel into the U.S. after multiple reports of people being turned away or detained at airports. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 Vista officials have said over the past two years that patients will not be turned away because of a lack of ability to pay. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn away

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of turn away was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20away. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on turn away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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