pullback

noun

pull·​back ˈpu̇l-ˌbak How to pronounce pullback (audio)
: a pulling back
especially : an orderly withdrawal of troops from a position or area

Examples of pullback in a Sentence

a pullback in consumer spending the pullback was necessary so that the commanders could reorganize their units and reassess the situation
Recent Examples on the Web Rising prices appear to be the main reason for consumers’ home renovation pullback. Brian Cheung, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024 The pullback comes as New Yorkers face an intensifying child care crisis that has helped fuel a sharp increase in poverty. Troy Closson, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 As the bullish sentiment in the crypto marketplace continues to roll forward, even with pullbacks and consolidation causing a pause in upward price movements for bitcoin and ether, the crypto market continues to innovate and deploy new products and services. Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Consumer fintech is especially going through a pullback as enterprise fintech soaks up whatever venture dollars are out there–in 2023, enterprise fintech startups secured 70.1% of fintech venture capital, up from 40.6% in 2019. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, for Chi Forest, consumers’ pullback has brought its goal of becoming China’s version of Coca-Cola to a crashing halt. Subrat Patnaik, Bloomberg.com, 22 Feb. 2024 In the Middle East, even a responsible pullback could have destabilizing consequences in the short run. Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2024 And last year’s dramatic 8% pullback in luxury spending in the Americas challenges the popular narrative. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 In December, the Fed forecast three quarter-point cuts this year, more than anticipated, further stoking an S&P 500 stock index that was already vaulting toward a new record on the pullback of inflation and the prospect of lower rates. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pullback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pullback was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near pullback

Cite this Entry

“Pullback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pullback. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!