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.
Companies may be able to absorb some of the new costs, but some of the steep 104 percent tariffs will be passed on to consumers, which may cause some fast-fashion customers to turn away from these stores. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 Some people have been turned away from care due to stigma, making treatment more difficult. Meira Gebel, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025 People who are pregnant won’t be turned away at any location, and one Chicago area facility and one downstate center will be prioritized, Klemanski said. Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 She’s been turned away by a Canadian government growing increasingly hostile toward Gilead refugees, and Gilead’s interest in removing her has only intensified. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 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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