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

Tight end Travis Kelce looks like he’s turned back the clock for Kansas City, which is running the ball well. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

An Israeli military official said its fighter jets had turned back before the plane landed at Tabuk. — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

About halfway through the evening, attention turned back to Pugh as Guiducci and Bajaria lauded the Oscar-nominee. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Case Keenum turned back the clock, as the 38-year-old quarterback led the Chicago Bears to a resounding 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for turn back

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

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