get back

verb

got back; got back or gotten back; getting back; gets back

intransitive verb

1
: to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert
getting back to the main topic of the lecture
2
: to gain revenge : retaliate
usually used with at

transitive verb

: to regain possession of : recover

Examples of get back in a Sentence

the distraught owner cried that she would do anything to get back her lost dog
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They're supposed to get back pay once the shutdown is lifted. John Tufts, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Kushner also said that progress was being made towards getting back the remains of all deceased hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 The silver lining is the Buccaneers got back Emeka Egbuka, who had suffered his own hamstring injury. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Hagen complied and got back into the driver’s seat. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for get back

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of get back was in 1605

Cite this Entry

“Get back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20back. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

get back

verb
1
: to return to a person, place, or condition
getting back to our first topic
2
: to get revenge
get back at him for the insult
3
: to regain possession of

More from Merriam-Webster on get back

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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