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.
The two occupants of the jet ski stopped and started to turn back, but then sped away after apparently realizing Moore was injured. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025 Business at Malibu Farm is down at least 50 percent — more on weekdays — and Henderson says half of her dinner reservations don’t show, likely turned back by roadblocks along PCH. Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 Given that plastics are originally made as a by-product of fossil fuels, the idea that they can be turned back into fossil fuels shouldn’t be so surprising. Josiah Neeley, Oc Register, 21 May 2025 This antenna needed to be taken offline for upgrades, but there was a real risk that when it was turned back on, contact with Voyager 1 might be lost forever. Scott Neuman, NPR, 20 May 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 4 Jun. 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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