turn away

verb

turned away; turning away; turns away

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to start to go away : depart

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.
Her dark and wind-whipped figure turned away, facing into the distance, toward the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains. Patricia Lockwood, New Yorker, 18 May 2025 Moreover, once- promising foreign markets, such as China, have turned away from U.S. media conglomerates in favor of putting more of their resources into developing their local pipeline of films and series. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 16 May 2025 Canadians trying to marry their American partners in the U.S. have been turned away at the border. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The man turned away from officers at the 43-second mark, briefly pulled what appeared to be a gun out of the jacket pocket before returning it and walking again along a sidewalk toward the retreating officers. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Turn away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20away. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on turn away

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