as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turn back
These two have come too far to turn back now.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
In midst of the 1996-1997 race and battling hurricane-force winds and waves reaching six stories high, Goss decided to turn back into the storm to save fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli, whose boat had capsized thousands of miles from land.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
On April 21, shortly after passing Sri Lanka, the tanker made an abrupt course change — first a sharp 90-degree turn to the south, then another sharp 90-degree turn back east.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
In midst of the 1996-1997 race and battling hurricane-force winds and waves reaching six stories high, Goss decided to turn back into the storm to save fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli, whose boat had capsized thousands of miles from land.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
On April 21, shortly after passing Sri Lanka, the tanker made an abrupt course change — first a sharp 90-degree turn to the south, then another sharp 90-degree turn back east.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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Recliner protectors are built to repel liquids enough to be easily wiped away.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, placing cedar blocks within storage bags, boxes, and bins will help repel moths and carpet beetles, Flores adds.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With sedge plants, the rhizomes create a tough mat just below ground level that resists foot traffic.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
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Both homeowners were charged with resisting.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Megan, meanwhile, gets increasingly emotional, turns away from the audience to wipe her tears, then pulls herself together and smiles so that the show can go on and everybody else can bow as well.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
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In turning away the case, the Supreme Court leaves that lower court decision in place.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Though Smith might have to stave off Charles, an elite gunner prior to tearing his ACL in 2024, missing all of last season.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Defensive end will be interesting to sort out, as Woodfork will have plenty of competition to stave off to make the rotation.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He regularly gets beat off the bounce by quicker players.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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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
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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