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.
Police later determined Skelton's phone was in Ohio at 4:30 a.m. before it was turned off and then turned back on at 6 a.m. in Morenci. CBS News, 3 Mar. 2025 Some of the team broke under the weight of it all and turned back. Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025 The military cargo planes that carry researchers from New Zealand to McMurdo, America’s largest coastal base on the continent, regularly turn back halfway in bad weather. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 In the Chiefs' AFC divisional round win over the Houston Texans, Kelce turned back the clock with a vintage performance, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 27 Feb. 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 Mar. 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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