DROP BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

drop back

verb

Definition of drop back

as in to withdraw

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of drop back Then Underwood dropped back, stepped up, rolled right and threw a long touchdown pass to Buchanan for a 19-14 lead. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026 With 1,884 yards, 18 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 75% of his passes this season, Orange High’s junior quarterback has rarely faltered when dropping back. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Local favorite Tom Vaillant, a two-time winner on the smaller Alps Tour but still looking for his first European tour title, started the day second but dropped back to finish joint-third along with three other players after a final-day 70. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Temps drop back into the low-mid 60s for highs by the end of the week. — September 27, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drop back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back

Verb

For the second straight year, Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Instead, Netflix released a statement shortly after withdrawing their bid.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Without Carmella there as a potential wild card, the ladies arrive in Tokyo and are forced to retreat to their familiar shticks.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Kramatorsk has long served as a strategic rear point for the Ukrainian units serving along the eastern front – and as a place to which exhausted troops could retreat for a few days of rest before their next mission.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

The school falls back on procedure to keep a lid on things, and a school violence review committee wraps up without a firm finding.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Brent crude peaked at nearly $106 per barrel yesterday before falling back to $102 this morning.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall back

Verb

Coach Curt Cignetti was asked after the game how his team could play so poorly for most of three quarters and still pull out a win.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Halfway through, Brill pulls out a machine that fills the stage with foam, submerging the actors in a cumulus of bubbles.

— Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull out

Verb

That’s a notable turn from just a few years ago, when Fortune reported that boomers remained fixated on retiring in Florida even as rising costs priced many of their peers out.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
King retired four of his first five batters before walking William Contreras and Brice Turang.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026