as in turning away
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
On the matter of civil rights for all Californians, there was no turning back.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
William Johnston, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, previously told USA TODAY that abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
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
On the matter of civil rights for all Californians, there was no turning back.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
William Johnston, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, previously told USA TODAY that abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Results suggested this impact was due to the plants creating a physical barrier that disrupted the movement of cucumber beetles, rather than any effects of repelling them or attracting beneficial insects.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
Orbán began vilifying the EU, often comparing Brussels to the Soviet Union, even while receiving massive amounts of EU money, and resisting pressure to reverse democratic backsliding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
He was later charged with three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 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 back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
