comeback

[kuhm-bak]

noun

1. a return to a former higher rank, popularity, position, prosperity, etc..

   The ex-champion kept trying to make a comeback.

2. a clever or effective retort; rejoinder; riposte.

   That was a great comeback the comedian made to the hecklers.

3. Informal.,  a basis or cause of complaint.

   If you insist on buying these pointed shoes, you'll have no comeback when your toes start to hurt.

comeback

/ ˈkʌmˌbæk /

noun

1. a return to a former position, status, etc

2. a return or response, esp recriminatory

3. a quick reply; retort

verb

1. to return

2. to become fashionable again

3. to reply after a period of consideration

   I'll come back to you on that next week

4. to argue back; retort

5. (of something forgotten) to return to someone's memory

Word History and Origins

Origin of comeback¹

First recorded in 1815–25; noun use of verb phrase come back

Example Sentences

So once the dust from his unlikely comeback settles, the nation will be watching, keenly, to see if he makes good on his pledge to take them back to better times.

From BBC

The Italian admitted he "absolutely" fired up his players in the half-time interval to spark their comeback.

From BBC

A comeback has been gradually pushed back to the point where he has not played at all this summer.

From BBC

When he made his comeback to play in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, he suffered a knee injury that required surgery.

From BBC

Having arrived as favourites, losing on penalties to England meant it was far from ideal for her country, but that does not detract from the incredible story of her comeback.

From BBC

Related Words

• improvement 
• rebound 
• resurgence 
• return 
• revival 
• victory 
• winning