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Definitions

turn away

VERB
alienate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disaffect divide estrange separate turn off
STRONG
disunite divorce part wean
WEAK
break off come between make indifferent push away set against withdraw the affections of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
combine join marry unite
WEAK
be friendly disarm
VERB
avert
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avoid deter fend off foil forestall halt preclude prevent rule out ward off
STRONG
deflect divert frustrate shunt turn
WEAK
look away shove aside stave off turn aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid allow assist help support
VERB
dismiss
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depose discharge disqualify fire impeach let go oust recall retire sack suspend terminate
STRONG
ax boot bounce bump can cashier defrock depone displace drop furlough pension shelve unfrock unseat
WEAK
boot out deselect disemploy disfrock give notice to give the ax give the gate give the heave-ho give walking papers give warning kick out lay off let out pink slip put away send packing shut out wash out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin employ hire hold keep
STRONG
do
WEAK
accept appoint engage maintain preserve secure welcome
VERB
pink slip
Synonyms
WEAK
ax boot boot out bounce bump can cashier defrock depone depose deselect discharge disemploy disfrock displace disqualify drop fire furlough give notice to give someone his or her walking papers give someone the ax give someone the gate give someone the pink slip give the ax give the gate give the heave-ho give walking papers give warning impeach kick out lay off let go let out oust pension put away recall release retire sack send packing shelve show someone the door shut out suspend terminate unfrock unseat wash out
VERB
recoil
Synonyms
STRONGEST
backfire balk blanch blink cringe demur flinch hesitate reel shudder tremble waver wince
STRONG
blench carom dodge duck falter jerk kick quail quake react rebound resile shake shirk shrink spring start stick stickle swerve withdraw
WEAK
draw back pull back shy away step back
Antonyms
STRONGEST
steady
STRONG
face meet remain stay
VERB
refuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decline ignore protest rebuff reject turn down withdraw withhold
STRONG
demur desist disaccord disallow disapprove dissent dodge evade nix regret repel reprobate repudiate shun spurn
WEAK
beg off brush off dispense with give thumbs down to hold back hold off hold out make excuses not budge not budget not buy not care to pass up refuse to receive send off send regrets set aside turn deaf ear to turn from turn one's back on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept allow approve
STRONG
agree consent endorse face meet sanction
WEAK
OK grant offer
VERB
ward/ward off
Synonyms
WEAK
avert avoid beat off block check deflect deter divert fend foil forestall frustrate halt hold off interrupt keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off obviate parry preclude prevent rebuff rebut repel repulse rule out stave off stop stymie thwart turn turn aside
Antonyms
WEAK
lay bare make vulnerable open

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said long-standing questions about Chávez’s record “led a lot of us to turn away from his folkloric status.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Griksaitis says the team is "going above our patient numbers because we can't turn away critically ill children," and explains that the hospital has "obviously managed to do something while I've been gone".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The rally was led by tech firms, which have been at the forefront of regional gains this year as traders turn away from Wall Street to seek out cheaper investments amid concerns about extended valuations.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Home healthcare providers already turn away more than 25% of referred patients due to staff shortages, according to the Home Care Association of America.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

He looked so bad I had to turn away.

From "Worth" by A. LaFaye