as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Recent Examples of turn back
Before turning back, many of them whipped out their phones to snap a photo of the divers.
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Cedar Attanasio and Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
In addition to accepting migrants who may be turned back at the border, which Mexico has already been doing, the incoming administration is pressuring Mexico to accept deportation flights of non-Mexicans living inside the United States.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
As of November 18, the X-band transmitter had been turned back on, and the probe was able to send data back to Earth once more.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
Jackson threw just 22 times against the Chargers as the Ravens turned back to their ground game but did his usual efficient work, averaging eight yards per attempt with touchdown strikes to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn back 
Cedar Attanasio and Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
In addition to accepting migrants who may be turned back at the border, which Mexico has already been doing, the incoming administration is pressuring Mexico to accept deportation flights of non-Mexicans living inside the United States.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024
As of November 18, the X-band transmitter had been turned back on, and the probe was able to send data back to Earth once more.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
Jackson threw just 22 times against the Chargers as the Ravens turned back to their ground game but did his usual efficient work, averaging eight yards per attempt with touchdown strikes to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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The ski patrollers entered each gondola from above, lowered people’s equipment to the ground and then instructed them on how to repel down using a rope with a seat attached.Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024
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Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers.Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Amazon has consistently resisted unionization efforts, arguing that many of the workers involved—particularly delivery drivers—are not its employees but rather work for third-party Delivery Service Partners.Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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In most cases, though, the owner can – and should – resist the request.Joshua Stein, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Bogus customers can be turned away while new ones can get on with trading without unnecessary checks being put in their way.David Prosser, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Finally the 23-year-old turns away from the wall and begins to cry.Claire Harbage, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Dexter is repulsed by the whole scene, and really who can blame him?Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
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Next to this official discourse, several Russian security experts have even promoted the idea of launching a preemptive strike to repulse a knockout of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2023
Verb
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The Treasury Department will likely implement extraordinary measures to stave off a default in the new year.Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
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Users rave about its acne-quelling benefits—limiting excess oils and staving off stubborn breakouts.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near turn back
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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