turn back

verb

Definition of turn backnext
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

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 back As weather conditions deteriorated near the summit, three climbers turned back, while Morup and two colleagues continued their ascent. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 And when his name was very publicly mentioned in the trade talks that eventually sent Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was no turning back. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Court bars asylum claims before refugees enter US Alito wrote another decision June 25 for a 6-3 majority that allowed the administration to turn back refugees at the border. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 July 2026 There was no immediate explanation for the ships that turned back on Friday and Saturday, though Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic. — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
  1. repel
  2. resist
  3. turn away
  4. repulse
  5. stave off
  6. beat off
Verb
  • Earlier Friday, the Ukrainian military's General Staff reported repelling 24 Russian assaults near Kostyantynivka and other settlements.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Body on the line 💪 But that was not the Wan-Bissaka who repelled Rashford’s attacking threat as England toiled at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of repel
Verb
  • Under owner Arte Moreno, the Angels have resisted rebuilding, preferring to add lower-tier free agents and rush college players to the major leagues in an effort to field a competitive roster.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Are the foundations laid in 1776 and 1789 still strong enough and sound enough to resist the tremors of our times?
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • In fact, the pursuit of a truly American design style—one that turns away from imitation and toward exploration—has been a focus for architects since this country was founded.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026
  • Another gives the president the power to turn away refugees seeking asylum at the border.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of turn away
Verb
  • Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Spearmint and peppermint plants are particularly effective insect repellents, but many other plants in the mint family can also be used to repulse flies, including pennyroyal and lemon balm.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • A week after a trio of dramatic wins by left-leaning congressional candidates in New York against incumbents and establishment picks, Bennet is trying to stave off Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who has outraised him and is surging in polls.
    — Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • During his tenure Thomas also successfully staved off a hostile takeover.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Definition of stave off
Verb
  • Happiness beat off competition from second place The Flaws, an absurdist comedy for ZDF that won the official competition at the same fest.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 June 2026
  • Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose gets a lot of notice for its athletics programs, but the Monarchs are proving to be the team to beat off the sports fields, too.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of beat off

Browse Nearby Words

turn away
turn back
turncoat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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