as in turning back
to drive back
using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid
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Recent Examples of turning away
In the reading, 1 Kings Chapter 9, God warns King Solomon against turning away from him as Solomon consecrates the temple in Jerusalem.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 May 2026
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Turning up the music in get car so that her daughter won’t hear, the grandmother gets out the car, takes a revolver out of her bag, and wincing and turning away, shoots the animal in the head.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
His first goal for the club arrived the following week in emphatic fashion, turning away from pressure neatly before cannoning this left-footed shot off the underside of the bar.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Hospitals ran out of blood, and started turning away patients.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 May 2026
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 May 2026
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Turning up the music in get car so that her daughter won’t hear, the grandmother gets out the car, takes a revolver out of her bag, and wincing and turning away, shoots the animal in the head.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
His first goal for the club arrived the following week in emphatic fashion, turning away from pressure neatly before cannoning this left-footed shot off the underside of the bar.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Hospitals ran out of blood, and started turning away patients.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning away
Verb
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Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what’s fresh and new.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
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The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, went from a high of $112 overnight to below $107 in the morning before turning back higher.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
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Companion plant gardening is a natural and organic technique for repelling pests and growing healthier plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
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How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Saturday when the long-running contract negotiations broke down over the wage and cost-of-living increases that workers are demanding and the MTA has been resisting.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
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Eatherly’s previous arrest came after another incident on Saturday, when he was kicked out of a restaurant in Nashville and later arrested and charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to an affidavit.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Turning away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20away. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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