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

• beat off
• fend (off)
• rebut
• repel
• repulse
• stave off
• turn away

Examples of turn back in a Sentence

a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire

Recent Examples on the Web

But lawyers behind the initial push for reform said prosecutors and the governor were using fear mongering tactics to scare the public into turning back the clock. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025

The first, under the call-sign Reach 538, turned back near the Texas Gulf Coast and landed in Houston. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Assistant Police Chief John McKean immediately turned back. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

On Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro turned back two U.S. military flights carrying deportees as part of President Trump’s plan to expel millions of migrants. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

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