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

While the loss of Holiday would sting, the Celtics get back solid players like Poeltl and Kennard. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

The group would get back together in the 1980s — without key member Robertson — and released a trio of albums that did not reach the creative or critical heights of their early trio of classics. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2025

The Devils should get back on track and return to their early-season form. —Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

After being shot, James got back in his car and drove away but crashed on the side of Interstate 85 in Coweta County, officials said. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025

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