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

If Watt struggles, perhaps CBS could turn back to Romo in a year. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Like so many in Gary, Indiana, Shatiya Hardin has been waiting for the minute her power finally turns back on. — Ash-Har Quraishi, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026

For something that will turn back the clock from your neck down to your toes, there’s Osea’s IYKYK Anti-Aging Body Balm. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026

From there, the track winds through downtown, with drivers navigating turns on 9th Street, Constitution Avenue, 7th Street and Independence Avenue before making the final turn back toward the Capitol and the start-finish line. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 18 Aug. 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