comeback

noun come·back \ ˈkəm-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: comeback in a Sentence

Definition of comeback

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
—Howard Mandel

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Examples of comeback in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of comeback from the Web

Stephens went on to win her first Grand Slam title at the 2017 United States Open, when she was ranked just 83rd and still early in her stunning comeback from foot surgery.

— christopher clarey, New York Times, "Can Simona Halep Finally Make Her Major Breakthrough?," 7 June 2018
White was notably terse with reporters two weeks ago in discussing his latest comeback from injury and his uncertain prospects for 2018 and beyond.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Can Kevin White's passion and eagerness to learn catalyze his latest comeback attempt?," 6 June 2018
His Canadian Football League preseason debut with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats against the Toronto Argonauts will be painted by many as a success, the latest chapter of his comeback.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "For Johnny Manziel, recovery takes priority amid comeback in CFL," 6 June 2018
After a 14-month absence from the tennis tournament scene following the birth of her daughter, Serena Williams made her comeback to the court on Tuesday at the French Open in the most G.O.A.T.-worthy way.

— colleen kratofil, PEOPLE.com, "Serena Williams' Comeback Catsuit at the French Open Had a Powerful Message for Moms," 30 May 2018
The first of his RBIs in the second inning helped the Rangers start their comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Who saw Odor delivering the winning hit? Maybe we should have," 30 May 2018
More: Schedules and more for the area regional baseball, softball tourneys Butler started its comeback in its half of the second inning thanks to some pop from an unlikely source.

— steve bittenbender, The Courier-Journal, "Butler softball rallies to beat rival PRP in Sixth Region opener," 28 May 2018
Where #MeToo goes from here, as those accused begin to plan their comebacks, is a critical question that powerful figures in the movement are beginning to address.

— julyssa lopez, Glamour, "Ashley Judd: What Harvey Weinstein's Arrest Means for #MeToo," 27 May 2018
Journeyman Alex Cintron, a perennial leading rider in Maryland, earned the first win of his latest comeback guiding Establo G&G's Maru's Raven to a 1¼-length victory in Friday's fourth race at Pimlico.

— baltimoresun.com, "Digest: Brigade beat Soul, 54-35, extend first-place lead in AFL," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comeback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of comeback

1889

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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comeback Synonyms

come back

verb

Definition of come 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