as in to repel
to drive back
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of turn back
That doesn’t make headlines in the same way that turning back the clocks will–which is why tax measures are often tied to non-tax measures, like expanding the DST.
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Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Dressed in a yellow T-shirt and jeans and wearing a backpack, Edgar is seen in the video suddenly turning back into the crowd and firing a handgun.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Arbitrary changes in rules, down to nail clippers removed at a checkpoint and the truck turned back.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
After the snap, Horn turned back toward the sideline and kept yelling.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn back 
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Dressed in a yellow T-shirt and jeans and wearing a backpack, Edgar is seen in the video suddenly turning back into the crowd and firing a handgun.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Arbitrary changes in rules, down to nail clippers removed at a checkpoint and the truck turned back.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
After the snap, Horn turned back toward the sideline and kept yelling.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turn back
Verb
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But with all the progress being made, and a true effort to fix this problem that generally repels people from the sport, the numbers are starting to go back up in California.John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
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Republican William McKinley’s 1896 election saw the industrial establishment repel the challenge of economic populism.Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
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California’s choice to resist potential policies that are threatening to its citizens is very necessary.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
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However, Buffett has apparently resisted any temptation to influence the race.Greg McKenna, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But Trump cannot turn away from China entirely, Wang said.Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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That’s when elections staff close the line, but those who are already queued won’t be turned away.Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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He is especially repulsed by the behavior of Republicans after the 2020 election.Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Nov. 2024
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Is she drawn to Chevalier and his alleged acts, or repulsed by them?Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Recent market optimism stems from hopes that rate cuts can stave off recession fears, even while the U.S. economy faces pressures from higher interest rates and a potential slowdown.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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The big picture: Republicans are looking to stave off multiple rounds of speaker votes and motions to vacate.Juliegrace Brufke, Axios, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near turn back
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turn%20back. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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