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
Trains are turning back at Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory and EBJ Union stations.
—
Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 7 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
Orion will zoom 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon before turning back, providing unprecedented and illuminated views of the lunar far side, at least for human eyes.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
There is no turning back, no compromise, no side road.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Left with few other options, India is now turning back to Russian oil.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
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
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
Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 7 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
Orion will zoom 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon before turning back, providing unprecedented and illuminated views of the lunar far side, at least for human eyes.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
There is no turning back, no compromise, no side road.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Left with few other options, India is now turning back to Russian oil.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
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There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
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Marigolds protect tomatoes by repelling pests and suppressing harmful nematodes in the soil.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Apr. 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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The plainclothes detectives, who were wearing NYPD vests, then dragged Brown on the floor, over shards of broken glass, to the front of the store, ordering him to stop resisting.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Kessman suggests resisting the temptation to start deep-cleaning or creating an entire organizing system at this stage.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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