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
: give back, return
Synonyms
- beat off
- fend (off)
- rebut
- repel
- repulse
- stave off
- turn away
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire
Recent Examples on the Web So, the mission here isn’t to turn back the clock, but rather to look forward and provide what employees want and need. 
Marcy Klipfel, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Ford is using the new Bronco to turn back the clock. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2022 Somehow, though, an even more worthwhile objective might just be for the world to find a way to turn back the clock from 2022 to 1962 or even 1982. David A. Andelman, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 Anne and Wentworth are able to turn back the clock, but not through an effort of will. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 The former president didn’t invent the political attitudes associated with his name — opposition to immigration, suspicion of liberal elites, a desire to turn back the clock on racial and gender diversity. David Lautersenior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 And, Gray pointed out, some contemporaries are even trying to turn back the clock on voting rights that have been in place for 50 years. The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 June 2022 Also in the mix is a strategy called cellular reprogramming in which scientists are seeking to turn back the clock on aging cells, restoring functions characteristic of younger cells. Ron Winslow, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2022 Flashback sequences set in 1988 did require hair department co-head Stacey Morris to turn back the clock on Murphy and Hall. Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2022 See More
Marcy Klipfel, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Ford is using the new Bronco to turn back the clock. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2022 Somehow, though, an even more worthwhile objective might just be for the world to find a way to turn back the clock from 2022 to 1962 or even 1982. David A. Andelman, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 Anne and Wentworth are able to turn back the clock, but not through an effort of will. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 The former president didn’t invent the political attitudes associated with his name — opposition to immigration, suspicion of liberal elites, a desire to turn back the clock on racial and gender diversity. David Lautersenior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 And, Gray pointed out, some contemporaries are even trying to turn back the clock on voting rights that have been in place for 50 years. The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 June 2022 Also in the mix is a strategy called cellular reprogramming in which scientists are seeking to turn back the clock on aging cells, restoring functions characteristic of younger cells. Ron Winslow, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2022 Flashback sequences set in 1988 did require hair department co-head Stacey Morris to turn back the clock on Murphy and Hall. Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
turns back
verb
as in turns away
to drive back a cavalry charge that was turned back by withering fire Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- turns away
- repels
- repulses
- beats off
- resists
- staves off
- stands off
- fends (off)
- fights
- rebuts
- holds off
- deflects
- opposes
- withstands
- wards (off)
- defies
- rebuffs
- spurns
- snubs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- embraces
- welcomes
- hails