as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turn back
The rise of artificial intelligence is inevitable, and there is no turning back.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During that isolation my body turned back to the prison.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The insights into how the 37-year-old former league MVP has evolved across his NBA career, studying facets of the game, has led the Houston Rockets star to turn back the clock on the All-Star Game itself.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
The conclusion of free agency would allow eyes to turn back to college basketball in time for the postseason in March, or perhaps to World Cup qualifying tournaments.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During that isolation my body turned back to the prison.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
The insights into how the 37-year-old former league MVP has evolved across his NBA career, studying facets of the game, has led the Houston Rockets star to turn back the clock on the All-Star Game itself.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
The conclusion of free agency would allow eyes to turn back to college basketball in time for the postseason in March, or perhaps to World Cup qualifying tournaments.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed an ultra-stretchable material that repels nearly any liquid and holds up under extreme deformation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This creates a thin barrier that repels buildup.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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He was arrested and booked into Imperial County Jail on suspicion of murder and resisting a peace officer.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Yoon was first detained in January 2025 after resisting attempts to arrest him in a weeks-long standoff with authorities at his home in Seoul.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When that happens, families turn to public hospitals, where no one is turned away.—
Shane Strum,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
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The simple design suited the low-key style icon and reflected the restraint which characterized fashion of the era—a turn away from the maximalism of the 1980s.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The ham sandwich rumor reportedly began as her manager Allan Carr’s attempt to stave off speculation that her death was linked to drug use.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Physical activity safeguards your heart, helps stave off metabolic disease, and improves your strength and stamina.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The dogs had driven the woman into the surf before a tourist came to her rescue, beating off the dingoes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
On this play, Tegra Tshabola got beat off the ball, forcing Donaldson to take a different hole before running into a defender who center Carson Hinzman was on until the hole shifted.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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