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:
Examples of turn back in a Sentence
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Recent Examples on the Web
Lionel Messi is turning back the clock and adding to the record books again.
—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Climbing parties on the Normal Route had turned back earlier in the day.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
After one more rejection by Canada, the ship turned back to Europe.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for turn back
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Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Climbing parties on the Normal Route had turned back earlier in the day.
—
William Finnegan,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
After one more rejection by Canada, the ship turned back to Europe.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
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 5 Jul. 2026.
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