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
The clock is also turned back to 1957.
—
Dennis Valera, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Mike Conley turned back the clock and hit four threes for the club.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
There's no need for Cher to want to turn back time, as the music legend arrived at the Met Gala in black lace and leather.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
The reports said the vessel was forced to turn back.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Dennis Valera, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Mike Conley turned back the clock and hit four threes for the club.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
There's no need for Cher to want to turn back time, as the music legend arrived at the Met Gala in black lace and leather.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
The reports said the vessel was forced to turn back.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
-
The strong aroma of onions repels many garden pests and can keep deer and rabbits from nibbling on your bell peppers.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
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Those bright, vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red also repel flies and other insects thanks to their pungent odors.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Verb
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But the California high school athletics governing body has resisted, sparking outrage from anti-trans groups.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
These allow companies to resist speculative takeover and embed mission and values for the benefit of employees, customers, and/or the broader community.—
Alex Amouyel,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Patrick Schulte turned away three shots for Columbus (3-6-3).—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
Patrick Schulte turned away three shots for Columbus (3-6-3).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Restoring whitebark pine forests will also help keep snow on the landscape longer and stave off drought and wildfires.—
Ellis Juhlin,
NPR,
18 May 2026
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Cat Petteys hit two home runs and Jessica Walter pitched a one-hitter as the UConn softball team staved off elimination with a 5-1 victory over McNeese in the NCAA Tournament Regional at College Station, Texas.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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 20 May. 2026.
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