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
When Genevieve’s physics experiment at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair goes explosively wrong, Ash jumps in to save the day, turning back time by a few minutes to prevent disaster.
—
Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
When the bags are on the heads, there is no turning back.
—Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
There would be no turning back.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Week 8 highlights include Acalanes beating Campolindo in a matchup between unbeaten teams, Los Gatos getting a signature win at Wilcox, California turning back San Ramon Valley and more.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
The night will be remembered for Scherzer turning back the clock at 41, pitching 5 2/3 innings in the Jays’ 8-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners that evened the series at two games apiece.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
People are turning back to color and extravagance, especially with eye makeup.
—Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
The men hunted a little farther, stopped to eat lunch, then decided to investigate a small hill before turning back to drag out their deer.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Beiersdorf brand Nivea is turning back time in a new partnership with beloved Y2K clothing brand Juicy Couture.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
When the bags are on the heads, there is no turning back.
—Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
There would be no turning back.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Week 8 highlights include Acalanes beating Campolindo in a matchup between unbeaten teams, Los Gatos getting a signature win at Wilcox, California turning back San Ramon Valley and more.
—Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
The night will be remembered for Scherzer turning back the clock at 41, pitching 5 2/3 innings in the Jays’ 8-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners that evened the series at two games apiece.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
People are turning back to color and extravagance, especially with eye makeup.
—Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
The men hunted a little farther, stopped to eat lunch, then decided to investigate a small hill before turning back to drag out their deer.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Beiersdorf brand Nivea is turning back time in a new partnership with beloved Y2K clothing brand Juicy Couture.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
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Of course young voters are turning away from the president.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Bradley cited the classic work of sociology, Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, with the memorable thesis that Americans were turning away from community.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Ukrainian General Staff said the military was repelling attacks in the Kupyansk area, and that two settlements north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been retaken over the past several days.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
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These fabrics are known for repelling dust mites, mold, mildew, and other allergens much more effectively than traditional down.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Martinez and Ruiz were present in court Wednesday and both have entered not guilty pleas to a federal charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Dunn is charged with assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with a federal officer.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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