Definitions

turn back

VERB

backpedal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backtrack

STRONG

double return

WEAK

double back go back

VERB

backtrack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backpedal go back

STRONG

double return

WEAK

double back

VERB

double back

Synonyms

WEAK

back up backpedal backtrack circle dodge loop retrace one's steps return reverse reverse path turn

Antonyms

WEAK

forge forward go forward

VERB

get back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

come back come home revert

WEAK

arrive home reappear revisit

Antonyms

WEAK

depart go away leave lose miss pass

VERB

react

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge act answer behave counter feel perform proceed reply revert

STRONG

backfire boomerang echo function operate rebound reciprocate recoil recur return take work

WEAK

answer back be affected bounce back get back at give a snappy comeback give back have a funny feeling have vibes talk back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease halt question stop

STRONG

idle keep refuse

VERB

recur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

persist reappear

STRONG

iterate recrudesce reiterate repeat return revert

WEAK

be remembered be repeated come again come and go come back crop up again haunt thoughts return to mind run through one's mind

Antonyms

WEAK

halt stop

VERB

regress

Synonyms

STRONGEST

degenerate deteriorate ebb fall back fall off recede revert

STRONG

backslide lapse relapse retreat retrogress sink

WEAK

fall away go back lose ground roll back throw back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop forge forward improve increase progress

STRONG

strengthen

WEAK

grow

VERB

relapse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

degenerate fall back

STRONG

backslide fade fail fall lapse recidivate regress retrogress revert sicken sink suffer worsen

WEAK

be overcome be overtaken slide back slip back

Antonyms

STRONG

develop fight grow help improve increase progress reach rise strengthen win

WEAK

get better heal

VERB

reoccur

Synonyms

WEAK

be remembered be repeated come again come and go come back crop up again haunt thoughts iterate persist reappear recrudesce reiterate repeat return return to mind revert run through one's mind

VERB

reverse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

overturn shift

STRONG

about-face back backpedal backtrack capsize evert exchange flip-flop interchange inverse invert rearrange retreat revert switch transfer transpose upend upset

WEAK

back up double back evaginate go back go backwards move backwards transplace turn around turn over

Antonyms

STRONG

hold keep

WEAK

go ahead reserve

VERB

revert

Synonyms

STRONGEST

degenerate go back hark back react regress

STRONG

about-face backslide change decline deteriorate flip-flop invert lapse recrudesce recur relapse resume retrograde retrogress return transpose turn

WEAK

come back fall off the wagon inverse take up where left off throw back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop

STRONG

continue get better halt improve keep stop

WEAK

grow progress

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.

Iran did not claim responsibility, but a report on Iranian state television said the Qatari tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings to turn back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

"I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!"

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

Iranian authorities ordered at least three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to turn back, and two additional ships appeared to reverse course as well, maritime intelligence company Windward said Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

There was no warning from the Iranian navy to the ships on radio or telling them to turn back, according to the seafarers in the flotilla.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

I call after her, but she doesn’t turn back to answer.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

turn back

Example Sentences

Related Words