turn away

verb

turned away; turning away; turns away

transitive verb

1
a
: to refuse admittance or acceptance to
b
: to send away : reject, dismiss
c
: repel
2

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

Examples of turn away in a Sentence

using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 Bell's role was to turn away some Black students and see what other schools in her cluster would take them. Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025 Air traffic controllers repeatedly ordered pilots of a Spirit Airlines flight to turn away from Air Force One on Tuesday. Brendan Cole shane Croucher john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 An air traffic controller had to repeatedly warn a Spirit Airlines flight Tuesday to turn away from Air Force One's path as both traversed over New York, according to LiveATC audio. Jay Blackman, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn away

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of turn away was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20away. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

turn away

verb
: to refuse to let in : send away
all the seats were sold and a large crowd had to be turned away

More from Merriam-Webster on turn away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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