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 Making of the Strata Center Here, Strata turned back to the realities that led to tech centralization on campus. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

The energy at Oracle Park turned back in the Giants’ favor in a hurry. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 May 2026

Eventually, the trio of men ensnares everyone in this family into their trap, their demands unveiling over a claustrophobic feature-length as various tables and allegiances are turned back and forth. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 May 2026

Since the 2023 rule changes meant to speed up the game on the mound, baseball has unmistakably turned back the clock on the bases. —Chad Jennings, New York Times, 21 May 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