turn away

verb

Definition of turn awaynext
as in to repel
to drive back using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of turn away The face of one subject is somewhat obscured, turned away from the camera. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026 Turner turned away six shots on goal for the Revolution for his sixth clean sheet in 30 starts this season. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Many of the nation’s most elite institutions have recently turned away from test-blind or test-optional admission policies. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Her two male friends were turned away at the door, leaving Lara and her two female friends to enter without them. — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn away
  1. repel
  2. turn back
  3. resist
  4. repulse
  5. beat off
  6. stave off
Verb
  • Federal law prohibits armed federal agents from conducting activities in and around polling places unless force is necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The patent-pending fabric technology delivers the comfort and insulation of traditional sherpa while actively repelling hay, straw, mulch and grass from clinging to the high-pile fleece.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of repel
Verb
  • Among those rescued was Chinese tourist Weiwei Zhao, who had been trekking with a friend but turned back because of heavy snowfall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Forty percent of the broad market index is made up of tech stocks, which have surged recently as investors — wary of higher interest rates — turn back to those companies most able to weather any sudden downturn.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of turn back
Verb
  • And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The new generation of therapeutic peptides is chemically modified to resist breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract, where traditional peptide drugs degrade before they can be absorbed.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • Her widowed aunt plays chaperone as Susanna attends heady lectures and repulses her many suitors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Young people just aren’t interested, partly because they’re repulsed by bodily fluids.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • Spurs beat off competition from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain to sign Fernandes, while Manchester City were interested in Tonali.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Happiness beat off competition from second place The Flaws, an absurdist comedy for ZDF that won the official competition at the same fest.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Definition of beat off
Verb
  • But in the end, when Miami needed to the most, the Hurricanes came to life to stave off FSU’s upset bid.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Hillmon, Dream guard Jordin Canada and wing Rhyne Howard hit a layup, a jumper and free throws to stave off the Valkyries’ attack.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stave off

Browse Nearby Words

turnarounds
turn away
turn back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20away. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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