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
In the experiment, a familiar caregiver—the child’s parent or the pet’s owner—interacted with a sponge before turning away.
—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
But when turning away becomes habitual, relationships begin to feel emotionally lonely.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
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
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
But when turning away becomes habitual, relationships begin to feel emotionally lonely.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
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
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
Verb
-
For two nights, Mister A’s is turning back the clock to the mid-1960s for a special prix-fixe meal.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
-
Which had Riley then turning back to the East.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 May 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
-
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
-
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
-
Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
Appleberry also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician and battery, as well as allegations stemming from a 2023 assault case involving a weapon.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 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 away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20away. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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