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

The adoption of so many new certification laws since 2020 appears to be an attempt by Republicans to lay the groundwork for endless and frivolous court challenges similar to the dozens that were ultimately turned away by judges in the last election cycle. —Michael Posner, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

In turning away the appeal from X, the court leaves intact a lower court decision that upheld a nondisclosure order that said Smith's request for Trump's social media records must be kept secret for six months. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024

Although most Peronists had turned away from left-wing populist tendencies and toward neoliberalism in the 1990s, Kirchner’s leadership pulled the movement back to its roots. —María Victoria Murillo, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024

Part of growing up is turning away from your parents, especially during the teenage years. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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