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 farm animals turn back into humans after kicking alien butt.
—
Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
They were turned back at a Syrian government checkpoint and with nowhere to go, returned to Roj camp.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The only way forward is to scour the space for signs of anything out of the ordinary, from changes in the ads on the wall to a sudden flood that threatens to wash you away, and to turn back if there’s an anomaly.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
They were turned back at a Syrian government checkpoint and with nowhere to go, returned to Roj camp.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The only way forward is to scour the space for signs of anything out of the ordinary, from changes in the ads on the wall to a sudden flood that threatens to wash you away, and to turn back if there’s an anomaly.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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It’s not meant to help members wage wars of choice, but to deter and repel aggressors by stipulating that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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One natural option is eucalyptus, which can help repel pests in your home.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eventually, people could not resist returning to their lives, to routines more comfortable than standing in the streets with the sun glaring in your eyes, squinting up to check the position of snipers on a roof, or working with cramping fingers sewing your tenth mask of the night.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Brown was issued a desk appearance ticket by cops for resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration, officials said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During the years since Abraaj’s collapse, there has been a distinct turn away from the notion that companies ought to be motivated by more than just profit.—
Hettie O'Brien,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
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Audiences have been turned away from screenings around the world and presales have more sparkle than a white glove.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ruling marks a key victory for oil companies in their bid to stave off climate change lawsuits filed by activists against them seeking damages for their operations.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Apr. 2026
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In the later game, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors are playing to stave off elimination.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He regularly gets beat off the bounce by quicker players.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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