as in turns away
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Recent Examples of turns back
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
And Keenan Allen turns back the clock.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
The third and final part focuses on the President (Idris Elba), who as the clock turns back again is making an appearance at a basketball game.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
And Keenan Allen turns back the clock.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
The third and final part focuses on the President (Idris Elba), who as the clock turns back again is making an appearance at a basketball game.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turns back
Verb
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For instance, with the North Node moving into Aquarius (your eighth house of intimacy) and the South Node in Leo, your focus turns away from clinging to pride and comfort, and toward deeper emotional exchange.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Timothée Chalamet returns alongside Zendaya and Florence Pugh as the film turns away from conquest and toward consequence.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Political interference in mergers and acquisitions approvals and daily operations repels foreign investment and damages confidence in market operations.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, is a hound with coarse, wiry fur that conveniently repels dirt and does not mat, according to the AKC.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The upholstery resists stretching and is simple to maintain, while the high-density foam cushions soften and shape to you over time.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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Unlike traditional cast-iron skillets, this one is coated in a black satin enamel that prevents food from sticking to the bottom, resists rust, and doesn’t require seasoning or regular upkeep.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turns back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turns%20back. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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