turn aside

To move something away from its path, or move away from your own path.

• We turned aside to avoid the puddle.
• The shield turned the blow aside.
• Workers turned the stream aside with a temporary wall.

How to use it: turn something aside (His shield turned the arrow aside.); turn aside from something (We turned aside from the path to inspect the ruins.)

Similar words: divert, deflect

Common phrases: turn something aside, turn aside briefly

To move your eyes or face so that you no longer look at someone or something.

• She turned aside in shame.
• He turned aside so nobody could see his tears.
• I turned aside rather than watch the painful scene.

How to use it: turn aside from someone/something (She turned aside from the painful scene.)

Similar words: look away, avert your gaze

Common phrases: turn aside briefly, turn aside quietly

To reject a request or suggestion, or refuse to give help.

• They turned aside my request.
• The council turned aside every appeal for help.
• She would not turn aside a reasonable offer.

How to use it: turn aside something (The committee turned aside her request for funding.)

Similar words: reject, refuse, dismiss

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: turn aside something, turn something aside

To leave your current route or stop what you are doing and do something else.

• We turned aside to explore a village.
• He turned aside from his research to write a novel.
• Will you turn aside from your usual route?

How to use it: turn aside from something (She turned aside from her work to answer the phone.)

Similar words: change course, divert

Common phrases: turn aside briefly, turn aside here

To choose not to notice or deal with something.

• They turned aside from the problem.
• She refused to turn aside from the warnings.
• Why do people turn aside from obvious injustice?

How to use it: turn aside from something (We must not turn aside from their suffering.)

Similar words: ignore, disregard

Opposites: heed

Common phrases: turn aside deliberately, turn aside from something

To stop someone from entering a place or joining a group.

• The guard turned us aside.
• Visitors without tickets were turned aside at the door.
• They turned aside everyone who lacked an invitation.

How to use it: turn someone aside (The guards turned the visitors aside at the gate.)

Similar words: turn away, refuse entry to

Opposites: admit

Common phrases: turn aside someone, turn someone aside