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
Well, except for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was brilliant, and deserved a far better fate after turning back 43 shots.
—
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets have the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic, but the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the postseason, and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have turned back the clock, playing at elite levels right now.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The two kiss and walk toward the setting sun holding hands, never turning back.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
While a mattress can't turn back time, a better mattress can lead to a lot of things: better sleep!
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets have the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic, but the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the postseason, and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have turned back the clock, playing at elite levels right now.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The two kiss and walk toward the setting sun holding hands, never turning back.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
While a mattress can't turn back time, a better mattress can lead to a lot of things: better sleep!
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
-
There are a few factors driving that interest; Greenland occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe, which could help repel any potential attack from Russia, experts have said.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
-
The lenses are scratch-resistant and treated to repel water, dirt, and oil.—
Lauren Wingenroth,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
The six others are reportedly facing charges of disorderly conduct, and one of them is also charged with resisting arrest, per My Central Jersey.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
18 May 2025
-
In total, 42 people were arrested on charges including animal fighting and resisting arrest without violence.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Her dark and wind-whipped figure turned away, facing into the distance, toward the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains.—
Patricia Lockwood,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
-
Moreover, once- promising foreign markets, such as China, have turned away from U.S. media conglomerates in favor of putting more of their resources into developing their local pipeline of films and series.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
That passage is a bit funny and also quite beautiful; there’s a sense of Europe and America reaching out to each other or repulsing each other.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Still, assuming that Harvard goes ahead with a legal battle to repulse the Administration’s assault, its actions could have important ramifications not just for other universities but also for broader efforts to resist Trump’s encroachments.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Alternatively, bananas could be eaten as an afternoon snack, as the fiber content can help stave off hunger until dinner.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
7 May 2025
-
The mention ignited memories of so many comfort foods my mother made for me and my three siblings to stave off hunger while supper was still a ways off.—
Robert Klose,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share