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.
The legal document details that Lawrence didn’t have the correct paperwork to take her dog, a 9-year-old miniature schnauzer, on the flight and was subsequently turned away. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025 An American retreat to isolationist policies, spotlit by the constant coverage President Trump's actions garner, is already prompting a turn away from the U.S. and our democratic values toward our adversaries, like Russia and China. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 Some states do fund health care for undocumented immigrants like pregnant women, and Medicaid will reimburse hospitals for emergency health care provided to low-income, undocumented immigrants, as hospitals aren’t allowed to turn away people seeking emergency care. Jane C. Timm, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025 Rather than being merited for her work, she was turned away. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 13 Mar. 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 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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