TURN BACK Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

turn back

verb

Definition of turn back

as in to repel

to drive back a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

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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 back Every new stretch of trail brought another unknown, and at any point they could have been forced to turn back. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Luxury French fashion label Jacquemus is turning back time with a new 1950s retro takeover at an opulent property set along the border of Monaco. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026 The two-day event was scheduled on Saturday to include a parade, which was to begin in Mitte, in central Berlin, wind its way south into Schöneberg, then turn back northward toward Brandenburg Gate. — Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 26 July 2026 Once the water is turned back on, the bread dissolves and simply washes through the plumbing system. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back

Verb

Ukrainian drone defenses, minefields, and artillery effectively repelled the attack, inflicting heavy losses including seven tanks and over 150 casualties.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Plants that will help repel pests that are harmful to jalapeños include basil, garlic, chives, rosemary, marigolds, and onions.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

Grassroots groups that help young people turn away from gun violence recently worked with Junior Cee Niko-Semos to build his résumé.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Mali then turned away from its traditional Western partners to Russia — first to the Wagner Group, a private organization that acted as Russia’s diplomatic proxy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of turn away

Verb

Brownsville residents already staved off efforts by Hialeah to annex part of the neighborhood into the city back in 2023 – an effort Pinkney fought furiously against.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Perreault-Magny, a father of a toddler, said he's seen mothers carrying infants through the woods, their feet wrapped in aluminum foil to stave off the winter's cold.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of stave off

Verb

Liverpool are keen for the 21-year-old to gain regular senior experience with Hartberg beating off competition from a number of clubs in Switzerland and France.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

turn away

turn back

turncoat

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“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of turn back

verb

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