Antonyms for turn back

Grammar : Verb

Spell : turn

Phonetic Transcription : tɜrn

Definition of turn back

Origin : late Old English turnian "to rotate, revolve," in part also from Old French torner "to turn," both from Latin tornare "turn on a lathe," from tornus "lathe," from Greek tornos "lathe, tool for drawing circles," from PIE root *tere- "to rub, rub by turning, turn, twist" (see throw (v.)). Expression to turn (something) into (something else) probably retains the classical sense of "to shape on a lathe" (attested in English from c.1300). Related: Turned; turning.
To turn up "arrive" is recorded from 1755. Turn-off "something that dampens one's spirits" recorded by 1971 (said to have been in use since 1968); to turn (someone) on "excite, stimulate, arouse" is recorded from 1903. Someone should revive turn-sick "dizzy," which is attested from mid-15c. To turn (something) loose "set free" is recorded from 1590s. Turn down (v.) "reject" first recorded 1891, American English. Turn in "go to bed" is attested from 1690s, originally nautical. To turn the stomach "nauseate" is recorded from 1620s. To turn up one's nose as an expression of contempt is attested from 1779. Turning point is attested by 1836 in a figurative sense; literal sense from 1856.

As in react : verb respond; conduct oneself
As in recur : verb happen again; repeat in one's mind
As in regress : verb return to earlier way of doing things
As in relapse : verb deteriorate, weaken
As in reverse : verb turn upside down or backwards
As in revert : verb return to an earlier, less-developed condition
As in backpedal : verb retrace one's step
As in backtrack : verb retrace one's step
As in reoccur : verb recur
As in double back : verb retrace one's steps
As in get back : verb return

Example sentences :

Therefore I was obliged to turn back, as our horses were done up.
Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest

We must now turn back a little, and follow the movements of Alcidas.
Extract from : « Stories from Thucydides » by H. L. Havell

First of all, it was evident that he must turn back if he was to save his eyesight.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

No longer was he determined that she must turn back at this point.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

He could turn back; he must turn back; and as a corollary the Leopard Woman must turn back with him!
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

Eurylochus and a few of the others were inclined to turn back.
Extract from : « Tanglewood Tales » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Well, then, I will turn back with you; but the punch will all be gone, mark my words.
Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic

I was just about to turn back, in order not to disturb her meditations, when she glanced at me.
Extract from : « A Hero of Our Time » by M. Y. Lermontov

You don't expect they will turn back and give us trouble, do you, Rob?
Extract from : « The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields » by Lieut. Howard Payson

Thus led, my broodings leave the future, and turn back on the past.
Extract from : « The Prisoner of Zenda » by Anthony Hope

Synonyms for turn back

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019