as in to repel
to drive back
using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
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 away
Because visas are capped at 85,000 annually, with some exemptions, thousands of talented workers get turned away every year simply for lack of better luck.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Evil is aided and abetted by those who stand back and do nothing, who swallow the lies and turn away from images of death and destruction that are wholly preventable.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
At the same time, people will not be turned away.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
People, including Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan, were turned away due to the worsening security situation.
—NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn away
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Evil is aided and abetted by those who stand back and do nothing, who swallow the lies and turn away from images of death and destruction that are wholly preventable.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
At the same time, people will not be turned away.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
People, including Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan, were turned away due to the worsening security situation.
—NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn away
Verb
-
The event was the latest public honoring of North Korean troops who fought in Russia to repel an incursion by Ukrainian forces.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
-
These fabrics are known for repelling dust mites, mold, mildew, and other allergens much more effectively than traditional down.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His family, dependent on his income and repulsed at what has become of their son, must then determine what is to be done with poor Gregor.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Ron spends a lot of time bouncing around the web, fascinated and repulsed in equal measure.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP What To Know Obama beat off stiff competition from the likes of David Attenborough and Tom Hanks to win the Outstanding Narrator prize for his narration of the five-part Netflix series Our Oceans, which examines marine life across the world's oceans.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Yolo County, Baker is looking at the shutdown and the looming threat to CalFresh, the state program critical to helping low-income Californians stave off food insecurity, with a mix of anxiety and anger.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20away. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share