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Dictionary.com

circle back

VERB
recrudesce
Synonyms
STRONG
react reappear rebound recoil reconsider recur repair repeat retreat revert revisit revolve
WEAK
bounce back come again come back double back go again hark back to move back reel back reenter reoccur retrace steps
Antonyms
STRONG
disappear stay
VERB
return
Synonyms
STRONGEST
come back retire turn
STRONG
react reappear rebound recoil reconsider recrudesce recur reexamine repair repeat retreat revert revisit revolve rotate
WEAK
back up bounce back come again double back go again hark back to move back reel back reenter reoccur retrace steps
Antonyms
STRONG
face ignore meet stay
WEAK
ask depart keep leave pay request take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It stalks quietly, tests its prey, strikes, then retreats, only to circle back again.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

It is the prime minister's judgement which his critics circle back to again and again, every time the story returns.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Ping [email protected] with the word or phrase, and why it’s your pet peeve, and we might circle back and include it in a future story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

As the vendor looked through his phone for the value of the cards he asked for, Petikyan told him he’ll circle back.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025

Finally I figured if I’m caught, I’m caught, because whether I went back now or kept going, one way or another word of my late- night excursion would circle back to my dad.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs