turn away

as in to repel
to drive back using tree branches, the campers were able to turn away the charging fox, which was apparently rabid

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of turn away Gregg prescribes periodic breaks from his luscious phrases; the dancers to step out completely or simply turn away and put their hands in their pockets. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 This study found that turtles were swimming back and forth between the shallower waters, approaching the shore then turning away to avoid it. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 There was so much clothing donated that donation centers started turning away offers. Kristin Deasy, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025 Claiming that turning away from traditional economic approaches is the only way to address climate change, as some proponents of the Biden strategy have, will hinder the United States’ ability to transition its economy. Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn away
Verb
  • The men in Izzy’s life each represent a world to her, so she’s initially drawn to a successful uptown author (Jeroen Krabbé) and repelled by Sam’s working class surroundings.
    Jason Bailey, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Still in the throes of grief, Bridget has yet to return to the dating scene and is, at first, repelled by the thought of it.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • So management may turn back to the trade market to address remaining areas of weakness — including down the middle of the second line.
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • In the world wars, transoceanic coalitions turned back Eurasian aggressors, forging patterns of cooperation that brought the United States into the Old World’s strategic affairs.
    HAL BRANDS, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Half a day, gone like that, just browsing and discovering and then being unable to resist buying.
    Vogue, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Ukraine has tried to resist a total capitulation to American demands on natural resources, but has faced intense pressure from President Trump, who views access to Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth as necessary repayment for the billions the United States has provided Kyiv for its war against Russia.
    Constant Méheut, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • These same, once skeptical business leaders rallied around Trump in 2017 but were repulsed by many of his words and actions within eight months, withdrawing support, not returning to give him a second chance until now.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Western publics by and large have managed to stave off compassion fatigue and remain committed to helping Ukraine repulse the Russian invasion.
    Nina Jankowicz, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2023
Verb
  • These ideas also attracted a large number of individuals who were concerned with the existential threat posed by artificial intelligence, and were determined to systematically identify and address those risks in hope of staving off disaster.
    Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Saunders drained both attempts to give the Cougars a one-point lead and BYU was able to stave off Arizona’s last ditch effort with just 3.2 seconds remaining for a famous victory.
    Ben Morse, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20away. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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