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 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 The three governments have turned to Russia as a major security ally after turning back from Western allies. — Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
  1. turning away
  2. repelling
  3. repulsing
  4. resisting
  5. beating off
Verb
  • 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
  • Some are even turning away from other top-tier brands due to lack of transparency.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 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
  • Also on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia struck Iranian proxies in Iraq, after months of resisting being pulled into the conflict.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Scott Lauck, a spokesperson for the office, said in an email Thursday that one of the juveniles was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault, while the other was charged with one count of resisting arrest, also a misdemeanor.
    — Nathan Pilling July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turning back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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