as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 back
The white political elite of the former Confederacy assiduously fought the reforms that liberated African Americans, particularly the right to vote, introducing poll taxes and literacy tests, as well as resorting to terrorism by the likes of the Ku Klux Klan to turn back the clock.
—
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Heizer specifically engineered it so that future humans, scavenging for scrap in a postapocalyptic scenario, would be forced to turn back from his monument empty-handed.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Clayton Valley bounces back to beat Campolindo, Sacred Heart Prep shuts out San Mateo again, Gunderson turns back Del Mar.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Mayor Mike McGill said city officials are still considering the turn back of Highway 244 and the Lake Links Trail, and no final decisions have been made regarding whether the road turn back or the trail construction will be approved.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Heizer specifically engineered it so that future humans, scavenging for scrap in a postapocalyptic scenario, would be forced to turn back from his monument empty-handed.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Clayton Valley bounces back to beat Campolindo, Sacred Heart Prep shuts out San Mateo again, Gunderson turns back Del Mar.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Mayor Mike McGill said city officials are still considering the turn back of Highway 244 and the Lake Links Trail, and no final decisions have been made regarding whether the road turn back or the trail construction will be approved.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
-
The chaos of American life repels her.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
In 1862, Mexican troops repelled French attacks on the city of Puebla de los Ángeles in the Battle of Puebla, also known as the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Many Jewish people across the world are Zionists, and so there is a temptation, which needs to be resisted, to hold Jewish people across the world responsible for the misdeeds of Israel.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Sometimes, that requires making small but meaningful adjustments, like warming washcloths for a patient who resists basic care.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Megan, meanwhile, gets increasingly emotional, turns away from the audience to wipe her tears, then pulls herself together and smiles so that the show can go on and everybody else can bow as well.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In turning away the case, the Supreme Court leaves that lower court decision in place.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Made with Asics’ special ‘Puregel’ technology, the shoe has a cushy feel and shock absorption that staves off foot pain.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
-
The goal staved off the momentum from American Heritage (20-2), which scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period to tie the game.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
He regularly gets beat off the bounce by quicker players.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
