turn away

verb

turned away; turning away; turns away
Synonyms of turn awaynext

transitive verb

1
a
: to refuse admittance or acceptance to
b
: to send away : reject, dismiss
c
: repel
2
: deflect sense 2, avert

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

Synonyms of turn away

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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
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.
In July 2026, accounts from prospective commercial customers and satellite operators revealed that SpaceX had begun turning away Falcon 9 customers to focus its resources on the more capable Starship rocket. — Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 The dog is turned away from the viewer, and her full focus is on Federico. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 In February 2020, the MS Westerdam was allowed to dock in Cambodia after being turned away at five ports in other nations because of fears of COVID-19, which just a month earlier had started to spread from China. — Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Video showed him on a bridge in Warsaw, but in a brief moment while the camera was turned away, Chris disappeared. — Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn away

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of turn away was in the 13th century

Rhymes for turn away

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Browse Nearby Words

turn around and (do something)
turn away
turn back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20away. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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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
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