turn back

verb

turned back; turning back; turns back

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go in the reverse direction

b

: to stop going forward

2

: to refer to an earlier time or place

transitive verb

1

: to drive back or away

2

: to stop the advance of

3

: to fold back

4

: give back, return

see also:

turn back the clock

Synonyms of turn back

• repel
• resist
• turn away
• repulse
• fend (off)
• stave off
• beat off

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

Recent Examples on the Web

The plane turned back to the airport for an emergency landing, and Kindel was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for observation before being released on Wednesday. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

The financial markets now are undergoing several forms of late-cycle unease, and Wall Street is now looking for earnings season and the passage of the midterm elections to turn back the clock before last call. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

And with Georgia looming on Halloween, the Gators could just as easily turn back into pumpkins. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026

Tide turns back to franchises Then the tide started turning back toward familiar waters. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for turn back

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

turn back

verb

1

: to go in the reverse direction : return

turned back for home

2

: to stop the advance of : check

turned back the enemy