TURNS BACK Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

turns back

verb

present tense third-person singular of turn back

as in turns 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 turns back An exhibit celebrating the Metro’s rail system turns back time with its vintage 1970s railcar. — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026 Dalot turns back inside, and then immediately looks to play over the high press. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Clayton Valley bounces back to beat Campolindo, Sacred Heart Prep shuts out San Mateo again, Gunderson turns back Del Mar. — Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 1 May 2026 Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Hearing the Creature screaming his name, Victor turns back. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026 Their discussion then turns back to the potential of a romance—and heartbreak—between them. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026 Doing so will ensure your paperwork is processed and ready to go when the spigot turns back on. — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns back

Verb

The bear, seemingly frightened, quickly turns away from the boy and continues running, sliding under a boat parked in the driveway.

— Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In fact, the pursuit of a truly American design style—one that turns away from imitation and toward exploration—has been a focus for architects since this country was founded.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026

Definition of turns away

Verb

While it's best known for triggering playful behavior in cats, researchers have long known the compound also repels insects.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026
The strong scent of nasturtiums naturally repels destructive insects, such as cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Definition of repels

Verb

The human personality resists easy analysis — that is surely one of Aviv’s takeaways.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The episodes bounce between periods as Angelyne tries new ventures (a music career) and resists others (a Playboy photoshoot), all while avoiding the journalist (Alex Karpovsky) and documentarian (Lukas Gage) trying to uncover her origin story.

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Definition of resists

Browse Nearby Words

turns away

turns back

turns color

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Turns back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns%20back. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of turns back

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bibelot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes