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
German Marquez turned back the clock, Michael Toglia stayed hot, and the defense and bullpen came up clutch against a struggling Nats team that’s lost 11 straight.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 June 2025
In a comedic twist, the Labrador retriever was filmed turning back to his owner during the drive, with a smug look on his face as if to boast about his comfortable spot.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
So to have a bit of a spotlight turned back on you, at this stage, is incredibly gratifying.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
After her interludes, my father turns back to me and says, grinning, Okay, now back to Scheherazade’s turn.
—Hala Alyan
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 June 2025
In a comedic twist, the Labrador retriever was filmed turning back to his owner during the drive, with a smug look on his face as if to boast about his comfortable spot.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
So to have a bit of a spotlight turned back on you, at this stage, is incredibly gratifying.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
After her interludes, my father turns back to me and says, grinning, Okay, now back to Scheherazade’s turn.
—Hala Alyan
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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What to know about the New York City primary The coalition seeking to repel Cuomo has framed the choice facing New Yorkers as one between an older, moderate political establishment and a youthful, progressive vision for the party.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Texas is big—two hundred and sixty-nine thousand square miles—and has resisted canvassing efforts for decades.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
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Founders who micromanage, resist feedback or avoid tough decisions often stall progress—not because the business lacks potential, but because the leader hasn’t adapted to what growth really requires.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court turned away Virginia’s appeal on Monday that sought to quash a challenge to the state’s lifetime voting ban for people convicted of felonies, allowing the lawsuit to move ahead toward trial.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
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In one episode of the Netflix series, a cheerleading hopeful is turned away for being too short while Finglass and other cheerleaders discuss the modern rule book.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The smell of cinnamon repulsed her, as did the sight of falling leaves, cornucopias, turkeys, cobwebs, ghosts, and that stupid cursive that had become the font of choice for selling pumpkin lattes and a vague notion of cozy well-being.—
Anelise Chen
June 3,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
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Kravitz was an assistant machine gunner who on March 6-7, 1951, repulsed with his platoon in Yangpyong, Korea, two Chinese probing attacks.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Verb
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In such a situation, with overall U.S. deterrence weakened, China could exploit the moment to launch a conventional attack against its neighbors, or even be emboldened to use nuclear weapons to stave off the United States.—
VIPIN NARANG,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Because of the dangers of unhindered possibility, the expansion of choice came with guardrails, rules meant to stave off anarchy and social disorder.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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