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

Then, the pressure is released so that DME turns back into a gas, leaving the water in the tank. — Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026

The fire turned back into California late Thursday morning, burning in Lassen County just above the Sierra County line, fire maps showed. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Flames shot out of an American Airlines plane that struck birds while taking off from Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, forcing the aircraft to turn back and make an emergency landing. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Eventually, Guccione turned back on his stadium microphone and announced the run would count, leading to further boos. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 11 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