turning back

verb

present participle of turn back
as in turning away
to drive back a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

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 back 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 The front-9 and the beginning of the back-9 holes play mostly away from the coastline, but play moves back towards the Moray Firth on the par-4 13th, hugging the waterline for the 14th, 15th, and 16th holes before turning back towards the clubhouse. — Zach Schenfisch, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Inside the White House, meanwhile, the debate was turning back to Iran. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 According to the outlet, the suspect at one point swam toward shore near Temescal Canyon before abruptly turning back into deeper water, prompting lifeguards to move in and end the standoff. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026 Congress has grappled with turning back the clocks many times. — Yonat Shimron, NPR, 16 July 2026 There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way. — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Beyond markets, investors are also watching geopolitical risks, with attention turning back to the Middle East. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
  1. turning away
  2. repelling
  3. repulsing
  4. resisting
  5. beating off
Verb
  • 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, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Definition of turning away
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
  • 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
  • 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 away
turning back
turning color
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Cite this Entry

“Turning back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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