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
Nancy Guthrie’s home has been turned back over to Guthrie’s family.
—
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
During a news conference on Tuesday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the house was turned back over to the family on Monday.
—Pat Milton, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
When Cuba denied them entry—followed by the United States and Canada—the vessel was turned back to Europe.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
During a news conference on Tuesday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the house was turned back over to the family on Monday.
—Pat Milton, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
When Cuba denied them entry—followed by the United States and Canada—the vessel was turned back to Europe.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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The driver used bear spray to repel the suspect and drove away to a safe location, the Sheriff’s Office said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
My body turns away before my mind can catch up.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That effort quickly repulsed decent Americans.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
On this play, Tegra Tshabola got beat off the ball, forcing Donaldson to take a different hole before running into a defender who center Carson Hinzman was on until the hole shifted.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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