turning away

verb

present participle of turn away
as in turning back
to drive back using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 away American public opinion is turning away from unconditional support of Israel since Israel’s genocide in Gaza. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 At present, prison abolitionists have demanded new conditions for addressing racial capital, turning away from the brutal system of punitive measures to a framework of racial repair. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 Some are even turning away from other top-tier brands due to lack of transparency. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 July 2026 Many political scientists attribute the narrowing of the gender gap in religiosity to more young women turning away from religion rather than more young men turning toward it. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 9 July 2026 The ball in the net, the goalkeeper reacting, fans erupting in the background, and Messi already turning away with his arms raised. — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 The photos, plain and anonymous, feature a woman in a white dress, her head cropped out of the photo and a girl in pink, heavily blurred, turning away from the camera to reveal a braid garnished with a delicate bow. — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Fracturing politics So far, Britain’s increasingly fractured political landscape has benefited Reform UK, as people have felt increasingly confident turning away from the country’s two major parties – Labour and the Conservatives. — Katie Marie Davies, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2026 Officers doubled over coughing after turning away from the smoke. — ABC News, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
  1. turning back
  2. repulsing
  3. repelling
  4. resisting
  5. beating off
Verb
  • At times, they were seen swerving around other drivers and driving at speeds up to 95 miles per hour in the northbound lanes before getting onto the westbound I-10, exiting near downtown and then turning back toward Boyle Heights on surface streets.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Exhausted after turning back a Spain barrage in a scoreless draw to start this tournament, Vozinha released tears as memorable as Messi’s.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of turning back
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
Definition of repulsing
Verb
  • The meager platoon was a consolation from Lord Borros, who claims to be too busy repelling the Dornish to come to his queen’s aid.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 July 2026
  • We Baltimoreans treasure the role the 1814 battle played in repelling the mighty British forces, which were forced to abandon their siege of Fort McHenry.
    — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • Santiago and Teague were arraigned on Monday on the same charges, with Teague also charged with resisting arrest, while Rodriguez Diaz was arraigned on Monday on a single misdemeanor count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Wounaan have spent centuries refusing and resisting those forces, fighting against those who take land and rights unjustly.
    — Chenier Carpio Opua, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of resisting
Verb
  • Liverpool are keen for the 21-year-old to gain regular senior experience with Hartberg beating off competition from a number of clubs in Switzerland and France.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of beating off

Browse Nearby Words

turning around
turning away
turning back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turning away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20away. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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