get back

verb

got back; got back or gotten back; getting back; gets back

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert

getting back to the main topic of the lecture

2

: to gain revenge : retaliate

—usually used with at

transitive verb

: to regain possession of : recover

Synonyms

• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• reclaim
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• repossess
• retake
• retrieve

Examples of get back in a Sentence

the distraught owner cried that she would do anything to get back her lost dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Mark Scout is risking it all, while Mark S. just wants to get back to work. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025

The left-handed slugger hasn't been able to get back to his Texas ways ever since being traded away. —Noah Camras, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Pressly’s trade from the Houston Astros reunited the pair as the 36-year-old right-hander looks to help the Cubs get back to the postseason. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

Boston expects to get back right-handed starter Lucas Giolito, who missed last season after undergoing elbow surgery, and signed left-handed relievers Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson in free agency. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

get back

verb

1

: to return to a person, place, or condition

getting back to our first topic

2

: to get revenge

get back at him for the insult

3

: to regain possession of