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

: deflect, avert

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

Synonyms

• beat off
• fend (off)
• rebut
• repel
• repulse
• stave off
• turn back

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

Sticking to outdated practices can turn away both potential customers and employees who expect more. —Daniel Kushner, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The production turns away from both queerness and masculinity, as evidenced in the casting of Snook. —Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025

Tracy, a finalist for the Mike Richter Award given to the top Division I goaltender, turned away a shot just outside the crease from Western Michigan forward Alex Bumpt before time expired in the first overtime. —Andrew Haugland / Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025

Under President Trump, the federal government has emphatically turned away from fighting climate change and other environmental problems, rolling back regulations and transforming federal agencies. —Cara Buckley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for turn away

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

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