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
And Keenan Allen turns back the clock.
—
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Week 4 highlights featured Willow Glen’s comeback win over Christopher, Foothill’s Max Shuga making an amazing catch to set up the winning touchdown against San Leandro, Piedmont turning back Aragon, De La Salle holding off Grant-Sacramento and more.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have said there is no turning back on this project, despite staunch opposition from Hezbollah.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Week 4 highlights featured Willow Glen’s comeback win over Christopher, Foothill’s Max Shuga making an amazing catch to set up the winning touchdown against San Leandro, Piedmont turning back Aragon, De La Salle holding off Grant-Sacramento and more.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have said there is no turning back on this project, despite staunch opposition from Hezbollah.
—Bilal Y. Saab, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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In the first episode, the recruits wasted no time in repelling from a helicopter hovering in the air.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
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The devices can be plugged into outlets near possible access points to repel rats from entering.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Criminal court records reviewed by PEOPLE show the 35-year-old faces charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and a false report.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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But previous presidents have resisted the temptation to exploit them, and the law has served as a powerful norm notwithstanding its weaknesses.—
Elizabeth Goitein,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Students from the kingdom are increasingly turning away from US universities in particular, put off by a mix of hostile immigration policies, concerns over gun violence, and the kingdom’s own push to grow its domestic education sector.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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There was Skubal, the best pitcher in the American League, inexplicably trying to flip the ball between his legs, back turned away from first.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jackson was repulsed at the idea of the film being shown to the public, as was Zapruder, who quickly settled again with Time-Life.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
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At almost the same time, the Grenadian Army repulsed special operations forces sent to capture Richmond Hill Prison and Fort Rupert.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new era of Survivor goes hard and fast, and the best way to stave off Jeff Probst’s itchy torch snuffer?—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
25 Sep. 2025
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The dialogue represents a significant chance for Democrats and the White House, after weeks of talking past each other, to reconcile their differences and stave off a shutdown.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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