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
But French Fiction is turning back after running a one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race at the Ashland.
—
Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Companion plant gardening is a natural and organic technique for repelling pests and growing healthier plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
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How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 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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Saturday when the long-running contract negotiations broke down over the wage and cost-of-living increases that workers are demanding and the MTA has been resisting.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
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Eatherly’s previous arrest came after another incident on Saturday, when he was kicked out of a restaurant in Nashville and later arrested and charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to an affidavit.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 May 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 22 May. 2026.
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