as in turning back
to drive back
using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
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Recent Examples of turning away
But when turning away becomes habitual, relationships begin to feel emotionally lonely.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In the reading, 1 Kings Chapter 9, God warns King Solomon against turning away from him as Solomon consecrates the temple in Jerusalem.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 May 2026
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Turning up the music in get car so that her daughter won’t hear, the grandmother gets out the car, takes a revolver out of her bag, and wincing and turning away, shoots the animal in the head.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
His first goal for the club arrived the following week in emphatic fashion, turning away from pressure neatly before cannoning this left-footed shot off the underside of the bar.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
In the reading, 1 Kings Chapter 9, God warns King Solomon against turning away from him as Solomon consecrates the temple in Jerusalem.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 May 2026
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Turning up the music in get car so that her daughter won’t hear, the grandmother gets out the car, takes a revolver out of her bag, and wincing and turning away, shoots the animal in the head.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
His first goal for the club arrived the following week in emphatic fashion, turning away from pressure neatly before cannoning this left-footed shot off the underside of the bar.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
Verb
-
Which had Riley then turning back to the East.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 2026
-
Surveillance video of the same moment from a different angle appears to show Toledo with his right arm behind the fence, possibly making a throwing motion, and then turning back toward the officer.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
28 May 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
-
However, Hawaii Forest & Trail has permission to take small groups to the summit on a five-hour Hidden Craters Hike that includes repelling into and scrambling through a large lava tube.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The chemical is believed to work in a number of ways—jamming smell detectors so that mosquitoes cannot recognize a human or animal target, conferring a bitter taste that mosquitoes detect on their feet, or mimicking the smell of natural mosquito-repelling plants.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Moore was initially facing charges of breaking or entering, resisting a public officer and assault of a government official or employee, but the latter two charges have since been dismissed.—
Jericka Duncan,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
She was initially charged with misdemeanor breaking or entering, resisting arrest and assault on a government official.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
1 June 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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