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

The group encountered strong winds and rough seas, and decided to turn back. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024

If the duo needs to cross a gap, the player will need to make the first move and turn back to call Neva, who’s unsure of her footing. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024

So it was either push forward in search of gas or turn back home. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024

More than half a million Georgians spent the weekend without power, many expecting to wake up Monday morning still waiting for the lights to turn back on. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024

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