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
Which had Riley then turning back to the East.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
The vacant home could be turned back into staff quarters.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Surveillance video of the same moment from a different angle appears to show Toledo with his right arm behind the fence, possibly making a throwing motion, and then turning back toward the officer.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Dalot turns back inside, and then immediately looks to play over the high press.
—Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
The vacant home could be turned back into staff quarters.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Surveillance video of the same moment from a different angle appears to show Toledo with his right arm behind the fence, possibly making a throwing motion, and then turning back toward the officer.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Dalot turns back inside, and then immediately looks to play over the high press.
—Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
-
There was so much energy and enthusiasm and ambition coming out of those gatherings that anyone who got near us was in danger of being repelled by the sheer force of it.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
It’s meant to contrast with the walls designed to repel refugees.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans were arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
The suspects were charged with assaulting a police officer, fighting in a public place, resisting arrest, malicious damage and disorderly behavior in a police station.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Omar Artar, making history as Somalia’s first World Cup referee, was turned away upon arrival at Miami International Airport.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
-
Rockmont opened a retail outlet after the three Weils, eating lunch across from their headquarters, noticed the number of would-be buyers who were turned away because the company didn’t sell direct to the public.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The measure, placed on the ballot by the county Board of Supervisors, asks voters to support the sales tax increase to help stave off the effects of federal Medi-Cal cuts affecting county healthcare facilities.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
The jet has the lowest cabin altitude in its class—2,691 feet while cruising at 41,000 feet—which can help to stave off fatigue and altitude sickness.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose gets a lot of notice for its athletics programs, but the Monarchs are proving to be the team to beat off the sports fields, too.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
He regularly gets beat off the bounce by quicker players.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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