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
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
Border policy used in past administrations The practice of not letting an asylum-seeker pass through a checkpoint was used periodically during the Obama administration, when border officers began turning away hundreds of Haitian asylum-seekers at ports of entry in California.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Hospitals ran out of blood, and started turning away patients.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Later, at the Drake Road entrance to the Jewish Community Center, not quite 1 mile south, a Farmington Hills police officer was turning away vehicles.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Sustainability in focus Some clients are turning away from high-maintenance setups and instead leaning into sustainable options for their outdoor kitchens, says Daniel Germani, creative director of Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Border policy used in past administrations The practice of not letting an asylum-seeker pass through a checkpoint was used periodically during the Obama administration, when border officers began turning away hundreds of Haitian asylum-seekers at ports of entry in California.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Hospitals ran out of blood, and started turning away patients.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Opponents say that provision could potentially scare workers into turning away valid applicants while also discouraging people from working or volunteering at polling locations.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Later, at the Drake Road entrance to the Jewish Community Center, not quite 1 mile south, a Farmington Hills police officer was turning away vehicles.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Sustainability in focus Some clients are turning away from high-maintenance setups and instead leaning into sustainable options for their outdoor kitchens, says Daniel Germani, creative director of Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
Verb
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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,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 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
-
Sometimes, dry potting mix becomes hydrophobic, actively repelling water.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
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In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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She was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and later booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, and resisting officers through force or threats.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Moores were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting a public officer.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 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 away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20away. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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