fall back

verb

Definition of fall backnext
as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 fall back Bond yields offered some slack on Tuesday after falling back from their highest levels in years or even decades. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Crude oil prices have recently fallen back into the $90-per-barrel range as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased, AAA said. — Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 When this happens, leaders fall back on observation and instinct. — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Instead of jumping it, though, Lewis reacted by falling back off of his coverage and toward Sutton in the back of the end zone. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. drop back
  4. pull out
  5. retire
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  • For the second straight year, Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn.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
  • As Goff dropped back to pass, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta gave Umanmielen a hard chip block.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On second-and-8 from the CU 15, wideout Joseph Williams dropped back to pass and launched a wounded duck up the right boundary.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop 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
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

fall away
fall back
fall back on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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