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
With an eye on climate goals, countries are turning back to nuclear energy to meet their energy demands without releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Adams fell toward goalkeeper and New Jersey native Matt Turner, who was filming the moment, and landed on his left leg before turning back to continue his celebration by climbing back over the couch and then back off it again, his foot again perilously sliding through that space.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 June 2026
For two nights, Mister A’s is turning back the clock to the mid-1960s for a special prix-fixe meal.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Which had Riley then turning back to the East.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Surveillance video of the same moment from a different angle appears to show Toledo with his right arm behind the fence, possibly making a throwing motion, and then turning back toward the officer.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Piedra then stabbed Clemson Cockfield in the head and neck before turning back to continue attacking the man’s wife.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, went from a high of $112 overnight to below $107 in the morning before turning back higher.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Adams fell toward goalkeeper and New Jersey native Matt Turner, who was filming the moment, and landed on his left leg before turning back to continue his celebration by climbing back over the couch and then back off it again, his foot again perilously sliding through that space.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 June 2026
For two nights, Mister A’s is turning back the clock to the mid-1960s for a special prix-fixe meal.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Which had Riley then turning back to the East.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Surveillance video of the same moment from a different angle appears to show Toledo with his right arm behind the fence, possibly making a throwing motion, and then turning back toward the officer.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Piedra then stabbed Clemson Cockfield in the head and neck before turning back to continue attacking the man’s wife.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, went from a high of $112 overnight to below $107 in the morning before turning back higher.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
Verb
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Ryan Smith, founder of Pensacola Vintage Collective, said young consumers are turning away from mass retail in favor of peer-to-peer exchanges, where every seller and purchase tells a story.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Dec. 2025
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In 2023, a number of restaurants in Barcelona’s city center came under fire for reportedly turning away solo diners during peak tourist seasons, as well as setting minimum order requirements for terrace seating and introducing time caps to manage the crowd.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After repelling a Brazilian corner kick, Saibari slipped between two defenders to collect a long pass from Diaz and drove the ball past Alisson Becker into the net.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
-
Citrus peels are not effective at repelling pests due to their low concentration of insect-repelling compounds like limonene.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 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
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These schemes produced hair collections that survive today, no doubt bewildering (and possibly repulsing) generations of archivists.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Verb
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He was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest, trespassing and being too intoxicated to care for himself in public, police said.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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After her third arrest in November 2024, Chelsea pled guilty in February 2025 to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.—
Anna Myers,
PEOPLE,
15 June 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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