turn against

To start opposing someone or something you supported before.

• His friends turned against him.
• The public is turning against the war.
• Why did their supporters turn against them?

How to use it: turn against someone/something (Many voters turned against the government.)

Similar words: rebel against, reject

Opposites: support

Common phrases: turn against someone, turn against something

To use something to harm someone or weaken their position.

• They turned my words against me.
• She turned his argument against him during the debate.
• Could this evidence be turned against us?

How to use it: turn something against someone (The lawyer turned his own words against him.)

Similar words: use against, weaponize

Common phrases: turn something against someone, turn evidence against someone

To move something so that it faces or is held against something else.

• She turned her umbrella against the wind.
• He turned his face against the cold breeze.
• They turned their shields against the attack.

How to use it: turn something against something (He turned his shield against the incoming arrows.)

Similar words: direct against, face toward

Common phrases: turn something against something, turn something against wind