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no turning back

ADJECTIVE
imperative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compulsory critical crucial essential immediate important indispensable inescapable obligatory pressing urgent vital
STRONG
acute burning crying instant
WEAK
clamant clamorous exigent importunate insistent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inessential insignificant nonessential optional trivial uncritical unimportant unnecessary voluntary
WEAK
discretionary free secondary unrestrained

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.

Once Potgieter agreed to do the recovery operation, there was no turning back.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Traditionalists protested that “the home is being endangered,” but there was no turning back.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

As guests pass through the foyer and enter Disneyland’s popular Haunted Mansion attraction, a ghoulish host delivers one last chilling message: “There’s no turning back now.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

In a rare interview, his mother, the former empress Farah Pahlavi told AFP from her home in Paris in written answers to questions there was "no turning back" after the wave of protests.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

“There’s no turning back, Nell. Once you arrive in Philadelphia, you are to assume your new identity wholly. One slipup, and the entire case will be in jeopardy.”

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan