turn back

verb

turned back; turning back; turns back

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go in the reverse direction

b

: to stop going forward

2

: to refer to an earlier time or place

transitive verb

1

: to drive back or away

2

: to stop the advance of

3

: to fold back

4

: give back, return

see also:

turn back the clock

Synonyms of turn back

• repel
• resist
• turn away
• repulse
• fend (off)
• stave off
• beat off

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hawks’ second unit immediately erased the Knicks’ lead at the start of the second quarter, and Atlanta took a one-point lead, 36-35, within the first four minutes of the period before Brown turned back to his All-Star duo. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

They were turned back by officers who arrested the group’s leader. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Iranian state media confirmed that shots were fired near vessels to force them to turn back, while the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India said the foreign secretary was deeply concerned. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Iranian state media has confirmed that shots were fired near the two Indian ships to force them to turn back. —Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for turn back

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

Kids Definition

turn back

verb

1

: to go in the reverse direction : return

turned back for home

2

: to stop the advance of : check

turned back the enemy