turn away

verb

Definition of turn awaynext
as in to repel
to drive back using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

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 turn away The park may also further tinker with the individual cars that already turn away from the Toluca Lake area during key scream moments. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 The veteran goaltender turned away anything and everything Carolina sent his way in his return to the Panthers. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 He is turned away until Jeremy Culhane’s Jake welcomes him in, and starts to sing. — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026 Rookie Damian Las turned away three shots for Austin (7-10-10) in the 24-year-old's second career start. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn away
  1. repel
  2. turn back
  3. resist
  4. repulse
  5. beat off
  6. stave off
Verb
  • The soldiers were among thousands sent by North Korea to help Russia repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region as part of expanding cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This natural pest control spray keeps roaches, stink bugs, spiders, ants, centipedes, crickets, and tons of other bugs away thanks to its strong scent that repels them without harsh chemicals.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of repel
Verb
  • Tight end Travis Kelce looks like he’s turned back the clock for Kansas City, which is running the ball well.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • An Israeli military official said its fighter jets had turned back before the plane landed at Tabuk.
    — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of turn back
Verb
  • But resist the urge to throw every brightening ingredient at the problem.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Attempts to coordinate the different agencies under a central authority to fight organized crime have failed in Congress, where professional associations representing those agencies have resisted anything that would reduce their power.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • Her widowed aunt plays chaperone as Susanna attends heady lectures and repulses her many suitors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Young people just aren’t interested, partly because they’re repulsed by bodily fluids.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • Spurs beat off competition from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain to sign Fernandes, while Manchester City were interested in Tonali.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Happiness beat off competition from second place The Flaws, an absurdist comedy for ZDF that won the official competition at the same fest.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Definition of beat off
Verb
  • Florian Wirtz starred as Germany defeated Serbia 2-0 in Munich for Klopp’s first win at the third attempt — staving off an unwanted record.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Still, SpaceX made adjustments to the vehicle’s engines to try to stave off such problems, so engineers will likely need to pursue further tweaks.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stave off

Browse Nearby Words

turnarounds
turn away
turn back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20away. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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