1
a
: a sharp or witty reply : retort
b
: a cause for complaint
came back; come back; coming back; comes back
1
: to return to life or vitality
2
: to return to memory
it's all coming back to me now
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
Mike HarringtonSynonyms
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 WebMoises Mendez Ii, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
Explore Gilberto Santa Rosa Gloria Trevi Servando y Florentino
See latest videos, charts and news
A Servando y Florentino Documentary
A Servando y Florentino documentary is on its way, capturing the Venezuelan duo’s triumph comeback after a 10-year hiatus from touring.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2024
While some Twitter users rejoiced in Swift’s TikTok comeback, others expressed concern over the other UMG artists whose catalogs remain off the app.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The Hornets did have a strong comeback win at Atlanta Wednesday night, with Miles Bridges going coast-to-coast for the winning layup in a 115-114 thriller, but those moments have been few and far between the last couple of years.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
Some band comebacks feel obligatory, or financially motivated.
—Brad Sanders, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024
As for the lane violation called on the Heat with 3.6 seconds left that ended Miami’s hopes of a comeback, the NBA confirmed that was the correct call.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
The Timbers completed their comeback in the 80th minute when Eric Miller smashed home a rebound from KC keeper Tim Melia’s initial diving save off a free header in the box.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2024
In both 2022 and 2023, organizers announced the fair was set for a comeback — only for it to be abruptly canceled both years.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2024
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Castro Valley 6, No. 17 Piedmont 4 (nine innings)
Castro Valley came back from a two-run deficit to beat Piedmont in extra innings.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
Males birds start to come back to Wisconsin in March and April, and female birds follow after them.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
Our experts say that patients usually come back for a second procedure about 10 to 15 years after the first.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Apr. 2024
His presence likely removes any chance of bringing back two-time NFL leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott to the Cowboys.
Elliott, who played last season with the New England Patriots after being cut by the Cowboys following the 2022 season, had shown interest in coming back.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The officer was advised, however, that the boy would be permitted to come back to school the next day.
—Yana Kunichoff, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
That guy Nilsson came back to hand Cathedral Catholic’s Vince Atilano a setback in the 300 hurdles where Atilano ran a section season-best 37.42 in second.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
After going down 2-0 in the second inning, Amador came back and scored two runs in the sixth to tie the game.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
Noun
Furtado’s comeback has been in full swing as the singer gets back into releasing new music.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
Explore Gilberto Santa Rosa Gloria Trevi Servando y Florentino
See latest videos, charts and news
A Servando y Florentino Documentary
A Servando y Florentino documentary is on its way, capturing the Venezuelan duo’s triumph comeback after a 10-year hiatus from touring.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2024
While some Twitter users rejoiced in Swift’s TikTok comeback, others expressed concern over the other UMG artists whose catalogs remain off the app.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The Hornets did have a strong comeback win at Atlanta Wednesday night, with Miles Bridges going coast-to-coast for the winning layup in a 115-114 thriller, but those moments have been few and far between the last couple of years.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
Some band comebacks feel obligatory, or financially motivated.
—Brad Sanders, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024
As for the lane violation called on the Heat with 3.6 seconds left that ended Miami’s hopes of a comeback, the NBA confirmed that was the correct call.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
The Timbers completed their comeback in the 80th minute when Eric Miller smashed home a rebound from KC keeper Tim Melia’s initial diving save off a free header in the box.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2024
In both 2022 and 2023, organizers announced the fair was set for a comeback — only for it to be abruptly canceled both years.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2024
Verb
The math argument only looks narrowly what does the state put out versus what came back into the state’s coffers.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Castro Valley 6, No. 17 Piedmont 4 (nine innings)
Castro Valley came back from a two-run deficit to beat Piedmont in extra innings.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
Males birds start to come back to Wisconsin in March and April, and female birds follow after them.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
Our experts say that patients usually come back for a second procedure about 10 to 15 years after the first.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Apr. 2024
His presence likely removes any chance of bringing back two-time NFL leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott to the Cowboys.
Elliott, who played last season with the New England Patriots after being cut by the Cowboys following the 2022 season, had shown interest in coming back.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The officer was advised, however, that the boy would be permitted to come back to school the next day.
—Yana Kunichoff, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
That guy Nilsson came back to hand Cathedral Catholic’s Vince Atilano a setback in the 300 hurdles where Atilano ran a section season-best 37.42 in second.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
After going down 2-0 in the second inning, Amador came back and scored two runs in the sixth to tie the game.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comeback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near comeback
Cite this Entry
“Comeback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comeback. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share