as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turn back
In recent months, advocates and local immigration lawyers have increasingly been receiving tips about these types of detentions at the Ambassador Bridge offices – people who accidentally drive onto the toll plaza, as well as migrants seeking asylum in Canada who are turned back.
—
Joel Rose, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
Some aircraft turned back mid-flight, including a United Airlines flight from San Francisco and another from New York that was rerouted to Ireland.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Go deeper: Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge's order to turn back deportation flights
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Rep. Brandon Gill's claim.
—April Rubin, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
More than likely, they are caught, Helly is forced to go upstairs to turn back into Helena, and either Mark is murdered for doing such damage to Lumon’s plan (and for killing a Lumon executive), or Innie Mark essentially dies when Lumon also forces him to go upstairs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Joel Rose, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025
Some aircraft turned back mid-flight, including a United Airlines flight from San Francisco and another from New York that was rerouted to Ireland.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Go deeper: Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge's order to turn back deportation flights
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Rep. Brandon Gill's claim.
—April Rubin, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025
More than likely, they are caught, Helly is forced to go upstairs to turn back into Helena, and either Mark is murdered for doing such damage to Lumon’s plan (and for killing a Lumon executive), or Innie Mark essentially dies when Lumon also forces him to go upstairs.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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These are the best marigolds for companion planting and repelling pests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
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The aroma of other plants repels insect and disease pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This was done by using the slender bridges to form triangles, a rigid shape found in engineering and architecture to resist bending and warping.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sticking to outdated practices can turn away both potential customers and employees who expect more.—
Daniel Kushner,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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Even as the Russians massed forces and achieved a three-to-one advantage in troops in Kursk late last year, the Ukrainians held on—deploying mines, drones and artillery to repeatedly repulse Russian mechanized assaults.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Kay’s particular diet was a recurring talking point on the show, with condiments such as ketchup and mayo among the foods that repulsed the TV voice of the Yankees.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Scoring two first-period goals, UConn staved off perennial contender Quinnipiac, 4-1, Friday to advance to the final of the Allentown Regional at PPL Center.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2025
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Their expulsion has been viewed as a show of cooperation from Mexican officials to stave off the Trump administration’s threats to apply tariffs on Mexican goods.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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