pullback

noun

pull·​back ˈpu̇l-ˌbak 

: a pulling back

especially : an orderly withdrawal of troops from a position or area

Synonyms of pullback

• withdrawal
• retreat

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

That turmoil started in 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic and supply chain issues and continued more recently with tariffs and pullbacks in all-electric vehicles that have cost companies billions of dollars. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026

But nothing can keep rising at such extreme rates forever, and critics had been calling for a pullback. —Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026

David Plotz, the CEO of City Cast, told Semafor in a phone call that the local podcast network was expanding its coverage of Washington as a direct result of the Post’s pullback, and would be immediately hiring four multi-platform journalists. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026

The pullback is also proving painful for companies and investors that leaned heavily into bitcoin during the rally. —Allie Canal, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pullback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback