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

Synonyms of get back

• retrieve
• regain
• recapture
• 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

After meeting in a bar, the two set their first date at her place, as both are ready to get back into the dating scene. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025

Barrymore quickly got back on track and carried on with their interview until her symptoms decided to trip her up for a second time right at the end of the segment. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025

In addition, word got back to Carson that Allen was rude to crew members for making changes his associates requested. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025

James Rodehaver, chief of the Myanmar team at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Sourcing Journal that the urge to get back to this sense of business could not be discounted. —Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for get back

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

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