as in repulsed
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 turned back
While the early 2000s have certainly been trending as part of streetwear and Gen Z style inspiration, several high-profile stars, like Lopez, have turned back to the 2000s for their red carpet and promotional tour looks.
—
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Malkin, who will be 40 on July 31, turned back the clock last season while shifting from center to right wing.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 26 May 2026
The Making of the Strata Center Here, Strata turned back to the realities that led to tech centralization on campus.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The energy at Oracle Park turned back in the Giants’ favor in a hurry.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
Eventually, the trio of men ensnares everyone in this family into their trap, their demands unveiling over a claustrophobic feature-length as various tables and allegiances are turned back and forth.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Sunset and the other arteries became metal chokepoints; engines were rerouted or turned back.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
But now the cameras have been turned back on them.
—Craig Spencer, STAT, 13 May 2026
Repairs were finally completed in October 2025 and on Wednesday, the fountain was turned back on.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Malkin, who will be 40 on July 31, turned back the clock last season while shifting from center to right wing.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 26 May 2026
The Making of the Strata Center Here, Strata turned back to the realities that led to tech centralization on campus.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The energy at Oracle Park turned back in the Giants’ favor in a hurry.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
Eventually, the trio of men ensnares everyone in this family into their trap, their demands unveiling over a claustrophobic feature-length as various tables and allegiances are turned back and forth.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
Sunset and the other arteries became metal chokepoints; engines were rerouted or turned back.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
But now the cameras have been turned back on them.
—Craig Spencer, STAT, 13 May 2026
Repairs were finally completed in October 2025 and on Wednesday, the fountain was turned back on.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned back
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 court turned away the appeal without comment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the riverbanks.—
Nick Duffy,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
-
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the river banks.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Media buyers have pressed for rollbacks in cable, and the media companies have resisted.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Iowa’s farm lobby remains among the most influential in state politics, and Republican leaders have generally resisted stricter environmental regulations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turned back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20back. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
