as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turn back
Well, except for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was brilliant, and deserved a far better fate after turning back 43 shots.
—
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets have the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic, but the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the postseason, and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have turned back the clock, playing at elite levels right now.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The two kiss and walk toward the setting sun holding hands, never turning back.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
While a mattress can't turn back time, a better mattress can lead to a lot of things: better sleep!
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets have the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic, but the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the postseason, and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have turned back the clock, playing at elite levels right now.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The two kiss and walk toward the setting sun holding hands, never turning back.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
While a mattress can't turn back time, a better mattress can lead to a lot of things: better sleep!
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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There are a few factors driving that interest; Greenland occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe, which could help repel any potential attack from Russia, experts have said.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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The lenses are scratch-resistant and treated to repel water, dirt, and oil.—
Lauren Wingenroth,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Farthing is being charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor counts of battery and resisting an officer, according to online court records.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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In January, he was arrested after a confrontation with police in Miami Beach and charged with battery, resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Another controversy will enter the news cycle and attention will turn away from Belichick and Hudson.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 May 2025
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Maybe one day a transplant procedure could help people find the light side of the Force and turn away from the dark side.—
Daniel B. Oerther,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
Verb
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That passage is a bit funny and also quite beautiful; there’s a sense of Europe and America reaching out to each other or repulsing each other.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2025
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Still, assuming that Harvard goes ahead with a legal battle to repulse the Administration’s assault, its actions could have important ramifications not just for other universities but also for broader efforts to resist Trump’s encroachments.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Alternatively, bananas could be eaten as an afternoon snack, as the fiber content can help stave off hunger until dinner.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
7 May 2025
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The mention ignited memories of so many comfort foods my mother made for me and my three siblings to stave off hunger while supper was still a ways off.—
Robert Klose,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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