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
Before taking a seat, Doncic turned back toward Redick as reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt stood up and clapped as if cheering on the Lakers to get in between his teammate and his coach.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
When Friedmann turned back around, Gambill was pointing his revolver at him.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Bess started to leave, got as far as the shelf of nonfiction bestsellers and turned back.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
But shortly after the game resumed, the video board turned back on, and the buzzer was fixed.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
When Friedmann turned back around, Gambill was pointing his revolver at him.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Bess started to leave, got as far as the shelf of nonfiction bestsellers and turned back.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
But shortly after the game resumed, the video board turned back on, and the buzzer was fixed.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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Grow Repellant Plants Some plants entice gophers to visit gardens, while other plants naturally repel gophers and other pests away from flower and vegetable beds.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
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The constitution also states that the president is the commander in chief of the armed forces and preserves his or her ability to repel sudden attacks.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Score decorative pillows by Sunbrella and Kelly Clarkson Home that resist moisture and fading, offering comfortable lounge accessories that add a pop of color—and when temperatures drop, there’s even an outdoor-friendly throw blanket.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
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He is charged with multiple counts of battery on an officer, resisting arrest and possession of multiple drugs with intent to sell.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Drayton turned away from the computer and fell to her knees.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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Earlier in the night, the combative progressive suggested the results would not be known until Wednesday or later after the Texas Supreme Court blocked a Dallas judge who ordered polls to stay open two extra hours after complaints from voters who were turned away.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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South Korea is looking to stave off new tariffs from the United States by swiftly passing a bill guaranteeing a $350 billion investment in American industry.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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