as in turning away
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 turning back
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
On the matter of civil rights for all Californians, there was no turning back.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
William Johnston, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, previously told USA TODAY that abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The rise of artificial intelligence is inevitable, and there is no turning back.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
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
On the matter of civil rights for all Californians, there was no turning back.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
William Johnston, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, previously told USA TODAY that abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The rise of artificial intelligence is inevitable, and there is no turning back.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
-
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
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
-
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
-
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 back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
