get back

verb

got back; got back or gotten back; getting back; gets back

intransitive verb

1

: to come or go again to a person, place, or condition : return, revert

getting back to the main topic of the lecture

2

: to gain revenge : retaliate

—usually used with at

transitive verb

: to regain possession of : recover

Synonyms

• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• reclaim
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• repossess
• retake
• retrieve

Examples of get back in a Sentence

the distraught owner cried that she would do anything to get back her lost dog

Recent Examples on the Web

President Trump can come in here and change some of those rules to get back. —CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024

Cleveland gets back right-hander Cecconi and Arizona’s Competitive Balance B pick, currently No. 72, a pick that had a slot bonus value of $1.09 million last year. —Keith Law, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

The Raptors were itching to get back into state championship contention, with their last title coming in 2015. —Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

William’s comments come amid an ongoing feud with younger brother Prince Harry who, despite his best efforts, can’t seem to get back in the fold. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

get back

verb

1

: to return to a person, place, or condition

getting back to our first topic

2

: to get revenge

get back at him for the insult

3

: to regain possession of