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

Sandy Creek has sat idle since a major failure last year and isn’t expected to be turned back on until March 2027. — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

In winter, this is often where travelers turn back, as Highway 20 typically closes due to snow. — Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026

After his father was repeatedly brought to an operating room at a hospital in Kandahar and turned back without surgery, Amiri posted a video describing the ordeal. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 10 July 2026

While the aircraft was en route, organizers were instructed to turn back, the sources said. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 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