as in turning away
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Recent Examples of turning back
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
Piedra then stabbed Clemson Cockfield in the head and neck before turning back to continue attacking the man’s wife.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, went from a high of $112 overnight to below $107 in the morning before turning back higher.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
But French Fiction is turning back after running a one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race at the Ashland.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Charlotte has often been full of personality in the public eye, famously turning back to wave at photographers when William brought her and George to meet their newborn brother, Louis, in 2018.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Piedra then stabbed Clemson Cockfield in the head and neck before turning back to continue attacking the man’s wife.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, went from a high of $112 overnight to below $107 in the morning before turning back higher.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
But French Fiction is turning back after running a one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race at the Ashland.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Charlotte has often been full of personality in the public eye, famously turning back to wave at photographers when William brought her and George to meet their newborn brother, Louis, in 2018.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
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But when turning away becomes habitual, relationships begin to feel emotionally lonely.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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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
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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