turn back

verb

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of turn 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

— turn back the clock

: to revert to or remind of a condition existing in the past

See turn back defined for kids

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

Recent Examples of turn back from the Web

Then his Mercedes turned back into the northbound lanes and ran into a ditch.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Hampstead man killed when car veers into oncoming traffic near Westminster: Police," 5 May 2018
Despite the turn back to winter weather, Arizonans should brace for a quick return to reality.

— robert gundran, azcentral, "Rain, snow and cool temperatures tease Arizona one last time," 2 May 2018
This offseason, Dan Enos came aboard to tutor the quarterbacks after receivers coach Mike Locksley, a former college defensive back, was promoted to the coordinator role when Daboll made a quick U-turn back to the NFL.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Why Alabama's QB development is set to kick into high gear," 25 Apr. 2018
The 76ers were riding a 17-game winning streak into Monday's Game 2 against the Heat, but Philadelphia was unable to keep it's hot stretch going as Dwyane Wade turned back the clock to give Miami a 113-103 win and tie the first round series at 1-1.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "Look: Joel Embiid Hops On Instagram, Says He's 'Sick and Tired of Being Babied' After 76ers' Loss," 16 Apr. 2018
That's good news for anyone hoping Tiger or Phil will turn back the clock this week.

— charles curtis, USA TODAY, "Tirico on why Tiger, Phil have Masters advantage," 2 Apr. 2018
That’s good news for anyone hoping Tiger or Phil will turn back the clock this week.

— charles curtis, For The Win, "Mike Tirico reveals why Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have a huge advantage over the Masters' field," 2 Apr. 2018
Last year, after the latest attempt to defund her organization had been turned back, Richards was at a celebration in Nashville.

— belinda luscombe, Time, "Outgoing Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards Is Not Done Fighting," 29 Mar. 2018
There looks to be no turning back from the groundwork done to prepare for the 10-story expansion of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center into the predominantly African-American neighborhood of Avondale.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Children's leader Fisher gets cancer diagnosis, takes leave from his job," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turn back.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of turn back

15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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turn back Synonyms

Synonyms

beat off, fend (off), rebut, repel, repulse, stave off, turn away;

Near Antonyms

embrace, hail, welcome;

deflect, ward (off);

rebuff, snub, spurn;

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turn back

Definition of turn back

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turn back

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