turn away

To refuse to let someone enter, or refuse to accept something offered.

• The hotel turned us away.
• They never turn away a useful donation.
• Were you turned away at the border?

How to use it: turn someone away from somewhere (They turned us away from the club because it was full.)

Similar words: refuse, reject

Opposites: admit, accept

Common phrases: turn away visitors, turn someone away

To move your face or body so that you no longer face someone or something.

• He turned away.
• She turned away to hide her tears.
• Why did you turn away when I spoke?

How to use it: turn away from someone/something (She turned away from the camera.)

Similar words: look away, face away

Common phrases: turn away quickly, turn away from someone, turn away suddenly, turn away from something

To stop supporting or being involved with a person, belief, or way of life.

• He turned away from his faith.
• They turned away from violence and chose peace.
• Why have you turned away from your old friends?

How to use it: turn away from someone/something (She turned away from the party after the scandal.)

Similar words: abandon, reject, forsake

Opposites: embrace

Common phrases: turn away from faith, turn away from violence

To change direction and leave the path you were following.

• The path turns away here.
• Our boat turned away from the coast.
• The road turns away from the river beyond the bridge.

How to use it: turn away from something (The river turns away from the road here.)

Similar words: veer, diverge

Common phrases: turn away sharply, turn away from shore

To prevent something harmful from happening or reaching someone.

• They prayed to turn away danger.
• The shield turned away the attack.
• Quick action turned away a possible disaster.

How to use it: turn away something (The villagers believed the ceremony could turn away evil.)

Similar words: avert, ward off, prevent

Common phrases: turn away disaster, turn away harm