turn back

verb

Updated on: 12 Apr 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

The two then turned back toward the stage, excitedly belting out song lyrics along with the band.

— zach freeman, chicagotribune.com, "'Weird Al' Yankovic at the Vic: Accordion solos, deep cuts and 'Velvet Elvis,' dare we say genius?," 8 Apr. 2018
Democracy may be under siege worldwide but recent elections in Latin America, which came out of a period of military dictatorship only three decades ago, show there may be no turning back.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "An election so normal it’s a benchmark," 4 Apr. 2018
People who turn back get a free flight—cutting out the need for a perilous return journey across the Sahara.

— The Economist, "Europe is sending African migrants home. Will they stay?," 28 Mar. 2018
Autumn and then winter’s snows arrived, and the kilns at the factory never turned back on.

— keith bradsher and ailin tang, New York Times, "Trump Condemns Chinese Factories. China Is Already Closing Some.," 13 Mar. 2018
Payne bowed his head toward the judge, turned back and smiled at his mother and fiancee and was led out of the courtroom.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Federal judge sentences Oregon refuge occupier Ryan Payne to just over 3 years," 27 Feb. 2018
The number of Central Americans detained and turned back by Mexican authorities has at times exceeded the number caught by U.S. border agents, but enforcement by the Peña Nieto government appears to have waned in recent years.

— philip rucker, The Seattle Times, "After testy call with Trump over border wall, Mexico’s president shelves plan to visit White House," 25 Feb. 2018
The number of Central Americans detained and turned back by Mexican authorities has at times exceeded the number caught by U.S. border agents, but enforcement by the Peña Nieto government appears to have waned in recent years.

— philip rucker, Washington Post, "After testy call with Trump over border wall, Mexican president shelves plan to visit White House," 24 Feb. 2018
One of the responding deputies, who had fled Cobb's gunfire, reached the bottom area of the staircase and turned back toward the stairs with his gun drawn, then fired, striking Cobb's housemate.

— st. john barned-smith, Houston Chronicle, "HCSO: Veteran who died in standoff in Spring shot self," 16 Feb. 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

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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