turn back
verb
turned back; turning back; turns back
1
a
: to go in the reverse direction
b
: to stop going forward
2
: to refer to an earlier time or place
1
: to drive back or away
2
: to stop the advance of
3
: to fold back
see also turn back the clock
Examples of turn back in a Sentence
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Lankinen turned back seven Bruins shooters.
—
Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Friday was a difficult day for some Coloradans who have had to endure a second public safety power shutoff this week and no clear timeline as to when power would be turned back on at their homes.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Investigation and legacy The NTSB and FAA continue their work on the ground in Statesville, focusing on why the 1981 Cessna turned back toward the airport just five minutes after takeoff.
—Charlotte Observer Staff, Charlotte Observer, 20 Dec. 2025
The aircraft reportedly departed a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina 10 minutes before the accident, then made a left turn, followed by another left turn back toward the airport about five minutes into the flight.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
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Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Friday was a difficult day for some Coloradans who have had to endure a second public safety power shutoff this week and no clear timeline as to when power would be turned back on at their homes.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Investigation and legacy The NTSB and FAA continue their work on the ground in Statesville, focusing on why the 1981 Cessna turned back toward the airport just five minutes after takeoff.
—Charlotte Observer Staff, Charlotte Observer, 20 Dec. 2025
The aircraft reportedly departed a runway at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina 10 minutes before the accident, then made a left turn, followed by another left turn back toward the airport about five minutes into the flight.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turn back
Cite this Entry
“Turn back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn%20back. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
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