as in turning back
to drive back
using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
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 turning away
To fill the space, models are turning away from doomscrolling (there’s enough doom and gloom in the news right now) and toward novels.
—
Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom has started strictly enforcing its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), turning away travelers without the digital form.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
But these restrictions aren’t new, and even experts intimately familiar with GRFP don’t understand why NSF is currently turning away students.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
After about a minute of back-and-forthing with the dog, who sometimes comes close enough to eat the food before sniffing it and turning away, Albert and Meghan try one more tactic.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Multiple videos also show a federal agent in a gray jacket reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun in his right hand, turning away from the man when the first shot is fired, then running across the street as more shots are fired.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump administration officials say the officer, Jonathan Ross, shot her in self-defense, although videos of the encounter show the Honda Pilot slowly turning away from him.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump administration officials say the officer, Jonathan Ross, shot her in self-defense, although videos of the encounter show the Honda Pilot slowly turning away from him.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
The United Kingdom has started strictly enforcing its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), turning away travelers without the digital form.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
But these restrictions aren’t new, and even experts intimately familiar with GRFP don’t understand why NSF is currently turning away students.
—Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 11 Feb. 2026
After about a minute of back-and-forthing with the dog, who sometimes comes close enough to eat the food before sniffing it and turning away, Albert and Meghan try one more tactic.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Multiple videos also show a federal agent in a gray jacket reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun in his right hand, turning away from the man when the first shot is fired, then running across the street as more shots are fired.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump administration officials say the officer, Jonathan Ross, shot her in self-defense, although videos of the encounter show the Honda Pilot slowly turning away from him.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Trump administration officials say the officer, Jonathan Ross, shot her in self-defense, although videos of the encounter show the Honda Pilot slowly turning away from him.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
Verb
-
Once your pair crunchy snap peas with peppery arugula, a sweet and zippy homemade dressing, and garlicky toasted breadcrumbs, there is no turning back.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
So, crude oil imported to California from the Gulf Coast states must first sail east to the Bahamas before turning back west to California.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There are many options for repelling mice.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Not long afterwards, the Spaniard goes down clutching his left shoulder after repelling a shot from Rutter and requires treatment.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man pleaded no contest to felony counts of stalking and vandalism and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest in 2019.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The men were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon, resisting a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and other charges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The dogs had driven the woman into the surf before a tourist came to her rescue, beating off the dingoes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20away. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
