as in repulsed
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 turned back
Middle Eastern oil wells were largely shut off during the war and could take weeks to ramp up production when turned back on.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
All turned back from fear or foul weather.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 June 2026
The vacant home could be turned back into staff quarters.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
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
David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
All turned back from fear or foul weather.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 June 2026
The vacant home could be turned back into staff quarters.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned back
Verb
-
Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday turned away Judge Pauline Newman's bid to return to service on a federal appeals court after she was suspended from hearing cases due to concerns about her fitness to serve.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Raul Jiminez came close to a goal for the second time, this time on a cross into the box, but he was once again turned away by a diving Ronwen Williams, who pushed the ball aside.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
Verb
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There was so much energy and enthusiasm and ambition coming out of those gatherings that anyone who got near us was in danger of being repelled by the sheer force of it.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
State security forces repelled attacks on their positions and launched investigations to identify those responsible for organizing, financing and carrying out the violence, police said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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New York police executing a search warrant raided an LGBTQ+ bar called the Stonewall Inn, and some of the patrons resisted as officers continued interrogating them and bar employees.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Jurors found Othal Wallace, who resisted being detained, guilty of manslaughter, which carried a 30-year sentence.—
Jim Turner,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turned back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20back. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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