comeback

noun come·back \ ˈkəm-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 9 Jul 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

See comeback defined for English-language learners

See comeback defined for kids

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

But the draft is making a comeback in some surprising places.

— The Economist, "If national service is so good, everyone should do it," 5 July 2018
But low-intensity workouts are seemingly making a comeback of sorts.

— mike candelaria, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Which workout is best for you: High or low intensity?," 5 July 2018
Friday marked a key date in his comeback, his first time throwing live batting practice at Wrigley Field.

— teddy greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Joe Maddon wanted Kris Bryant to 'set the tone' and that he did," 9 June 2018
Crews played a pivotal role in the Rams’ late comeback.

— lamond pope, Lake County News-Sun, "Ram tough: Antonio Crews delivers go-ahead hit as Grayslake Central baseball downs Grant," 16 May 2018
David Boudia, a four-time medalist aiming for his fourth Olympic Games, has been dealt a setback in his diving comeback.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "David Boudia's 'crash' adds another obstacle in comeback from suicidal thoughts, drug use," 14 May 2018
Malaysia’s former authoritarian leader Mohamad, who in a stunning political comeback led opposition parties to their first election victory in six decades, was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday, cementing a historic change of government.

— Washington Post, "Mahathir Malaysia’s leader again after ruling party booted," 12 May 2018
Signed to a minor-league deal after struggling in his 2017 comeback from thoracic outlet surgery, Ross had to earn his rotation spot this spring.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Analysis: Tyson Ross is a stock Padres need to maintain high value," 8 May 2018
Reds: Anthony DeSclafani will throw up to 50 pitches in a game on Wednesday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona, the next step in his comeback from an oblique injury sustained during spring training.

— joe kay, courant.com, "Bruce Homers In His Old Ballpark, Mets Overpower Reds 7-6," 7 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