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
Phrases
turn back the clock
: to revert to or remind of a condition existing in the past

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The men hunted a little farther, stopped to eat lunch, then decided to investigate a small hill before turning back to drag out their deer. Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 Rangers look like turning back to Steven Gerrard, their title-winning manager in 2020-21, after the swift sacking of Russell Martin. Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 Here our cicerone stopped and turned back to address us. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 In the skit, a camera catches fans at a game dancing and cuts to the two who dump their popcorns, do the robot and then turn back-to-back and pose. Bryan West, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for turn back

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of turn back was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20back. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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