comeback

1 of 2

noun

come·​back ˈkəm-ˌbak 

1

a

: a sharp or witty reply : retort

b

: a cause for complaint

2

: a return to a former position or condition (as of success or prosperity) : recovery, revival

… staging his ultimate comeback from self-imposed exile in Belgium.

—Howard Mandel

These days, the cocktail—the true cocktail—is said to be making a comeback.

—Frank H. Prial

come back

2 of 2

verb

came back; come back; coming back; comes back

intransitive verb

1

: to return to life or vitality

2

: to return to memory

It's all coming back to me now.

3

: reply, retort

When questioned, he came back with a vehement denial.

4

a

: to regain a former favorable condition or position

b

: to recover from a deficit in a contest or competition

… it was the first time in NHL history that a team was down by three goals inside the final five minutes and came back to win a game.

—Mike Harrington

Synonyms of comeback

Noun

• retort

Verb

• recover
• improve
• snap back

Examples of comeback in a Sentence

Noun

The species was nearly extinct but is now making a comeback.

Short skirts were out of fashion for many years, but now they're making a comeback.

The team was trailing after the first half, but they made a comeback and won in the second half.

The team mounted a comeback in the second half of the season.

Verb

she's slowly coming back after being in a coma

the American bald eagle was once nearly extinct but has come back strong

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The hiring is a remarkable comeback for Goldstine, who was abruptly dismissed in January 2025 by former WB motion picture chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy after four years with the studio. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

On the previous episode of Lipps Service, Greta Van Fleet talked about its new album, Palace for the People, internet breakup rumors and a secret comeback show at New York’s intimate Bowery Ballroom. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Those coming back from a late night will be pleased to find room service open 24/7. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for comeback

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback

Kids Definition

comeback

noun

come·​back ˈkəm-ˌbak 

1

: retort entry 2

2

: a return to a former position or condition (as of health, power, popularity, or prosperity) : recovery