turn one's back on

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 away turn deaf ear to turn from

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept allow approve

STRONG

agree consent endorse face meet sanction

WEAK

OK grant offer

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.

"This is not a moment to turn one's back on difficulties, but to confront difficulties, so I am not quitting," Costa told parliament.

From Reuters • Oct. 26, 2021

Francois Delattre said that 25 years after the Oslo Accords started the peace process, “there might be a temptation to turn one’s back on the agreed framework.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2019

To paraphrase the sociologist Max Weber, in order to take a share in charisma, one must turn one's back on the world.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2015

It is hard to turn one's back on light and wealth and lavish welcome and illusion, only to meet again with the dark struggle, poverty, gloom, dread and want.

From Time Magazine Archive

It seemed to him out of all propriety to abruptly turn one's back on a charming young lady.

From In Paradise A Novel. Vol. I. by Heyse, Paul

turn one's back on

Example Sentences

Related Words