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

Phrases

turn back the clock

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

Synonyms

• 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 plane, carrying 311 passengers and crew and 6.5 hours worth of fuel, made a right turn back towards the Empire State. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Eventually, when the game came to a merciful close, attention turned back to the health of Guerrero. —Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

Linear networks will assuredly bounce back as football season returns, turning back to streaming tide, but for now the already dominant new digital players are only increasing their footprints. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025

Davis Webb turned back toward the Broncos’ sideline in the final minute of the first half on Saturday and saw players and coaches lined up for high fives and fist bumps. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for turn back

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

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