turning back

verb

present participle of turn back
as in turning away
to drive back a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

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 turning back Tide turns back to franchises Then the tide started turning back toward familiar waters. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026 Once the company and its shareholders become accustomed to such a financial boost, an environment where individual guest spending sharply increases even when domestic park attendance is soft or steady, there’s likely no turning back. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 Reinhart’s vintage Elie Saab moment comes at a time when several high-profile stars are turning back the clock and looking to the runway from the early aughts and ’90s for their red carpet and project promotional tour stints. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Things opened up in the second half, highlighted by tight end Travis Kelce turning back the clock for a 59-yard gain in the open field. — Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 The mansion was damaged during a Los Angeles-area coastal flooding advisory over lingering effects of Marie, which had been a hurricane before turning back into a tropical storm. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 While her music has remained a fixture on country charts, the latest results show listeners are turning back to her catalog across formats and generations following her death. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 At times, they were seen swerving around other drivers and driving at speeds up to 95 miles per hour in the northbound lanes before getting onto the westbound I-10, exiting near downtown and then turning back toward Boyle Heights on surface streets. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Miglietta explained that the jellyfish appears to be dying and sinks to the bottom, then, like a butterfly turning back into a caterpillar, shrinks into a ball. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning back
  1. turning away
  2. repelling
  3. repulsing
  4. resisting
  5. beating off
Verb
  • The need has existed and continues to grow while institutional and industry support keep turning away.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The market distress peaked in 2024 with State Farm and Farmers announcing plans to drop tens of thousands of customers, and other major insurers turning away all new customers.
    — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of turning away
Verb
  • The running back, 25, had a career night in his first game with the Chiefs, tallying 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, seemingly repelling opponents which resulted in multiple Broncos missed tackles.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • This includes rain-repelling treatments like Rain X, adds Musson.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • 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
Definition of repulsing
Verb
  • The two suspects were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and resisting arrest.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Establishing repeatable procedures helps create consistency, discipline and stronger long-term outcomes, while resisting the impulse to rush decisions gives you time to pay attention to the fundamentals rather than chase shortcuts.
    — Carey Bringle, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of resisting
Verb
  • Liverpool are keen for the 21-year-old to gain regular senior experience with Hartberg beating off competition from a number of clubs in Switzerland and France.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of beating off

Browse Nearby Words

turning away
turning back
turning color
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Cite this Entry

“Turning back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20back. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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