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
But while 52,000 customers across the country got their lights turned back on, approximately 490,380 customers are still without electricity, Vaz acknowledged.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
But in the meantime, the franchise has turned back to a familiar face to bolster the offense -- that of receiver Gabe Davis.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs turned Rice into the focal point, and turned back the clock on their production.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The scene was turned back over to the company Thursday, McCracken said.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
The plane hasn’t turned back to Boise.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2025
But this staredown came on the biggest stage of Toronto’s season, on a night when the pitcher turned back time.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Here our cicerone stopped and turned back to address us.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
But in the meantime, the franchise has turned back to a familiar face to bolster the offense -- that of receiver Gabe Davis.
—Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs turned Rice into the focal point, and turned back the clock on their production.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The scene was turned back over to the company Thursday, McCracken said.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
The plane hasn’t turned back to Boise.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2025
But this staredown came on the biggest stage of Toronto’s season, on a night when the pitcher turned back time.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Here our cicerone stopped and turned back to address us.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turned back
Verb
-
Of course, one major qualifier for this is the fact there are plenty of reasons for even moderate Democrats to be repulsed at the idea of electing Cuomo.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
His family, dependent on his income and repulsed at what has become of their son, must then determine what is to be done with poor Gregor.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Chicago Tribune reported at the time that although some families expressed interest in attending the execution, they were turned away ahead of time.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Because visas are capped at 85,000 annually, with some exemptions, thousands of talented workers get turned away every year simply for lack of better luck.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Victorian audiences were repelled by Henrik Ibsen’s fatally attractive newlywed who appears to have it all — the fancy house, the doting husband — only to be violently bored.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans ultimately resisted a similar push by Trump during his first term, and 60 votes are still needed for most measures.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Sliwa has resisted calls to exit the race, as some Cuomo supporters have argued his decision to stay on the ballot only splits the Republican and centrist vote, bolstering Mamdani’s prospects.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turned back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turned%20back. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share