comeback

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

Synonyms of comeback

• retort

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 on the Web

Wenceel Pérez tripled home two runs in the seventh to begin Detroit's comeback from a 4-1 deficit as the Tigers took two of three games in the series. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Her comeback is in doubles with partner Victoria Mboko, 19, a rising star from Canada, with their first match early this week in the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London. —Greg Cote june 7, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026

Thanks in large part to their four ridiculous last-minute comebacks — one in each playoff round — the Pacers will go down in history as one of the most exciting teams that didn’t win the title. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

The Hurricanes made the comeback after changing goalies to open the third, going with Bussi, who made 18 saves. —Mark Anderson, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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