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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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 Haynes took the shotgun snap at the 10 and dropped back to the 14 before shooting up the middle, pump faking around the seven and diving into the end zone for the game-winning score. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 But Gunther dropped back down to the mat, forcing Aldis to tap out for the victory. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Downs is everywhere As expected, rookie defensive back Caleb Downs has been moved all over the field, mostly playing nickel cornerback but also dropping back to play deep safety. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for drop back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back

Verb

Being part of a dominant defense was one reason players like Camon withdrew from the NCAA transfer portal.

— Gerald Thomas III, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
The first clarifies that its PLX product does not provide law enforcement agencies with geolocation data, and the second says that the company has reached out to the complaint's authors to ask that the complaint against Penlink be withdrawn.

— Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Netanyahu says Israel will not retreat from any of its positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
When the Hills couple faced financial issues after the show ended, the two retreated to Pratt’s parents’ beach home in Carpinteria, California, to get back to regular life.

— Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

The San Antonio City Council will hold a meeting that morning to vote on whether to place the funding on the ballot, or fall back on the council’s previous approval of municipal bond funding.

— Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The industry goes straight to trying to do the same thing and falls back into that same trap.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall back

Verb

Defender Maxwell Woledzi scored two minutes into second-half stoppage time and MLS-leading Nashville SC pulled out a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Metcalf pushed Anthony, according to witnesses, who said Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pull out

Verb

The investigators who haven’t already died are almost all retired, some of them awkwardly testifying via Zoom with technical difficulties from homes far away.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Cierria Davison took a leap of faith to start Over the Top after retiring early from Walmart during the pandemic.

— Leondra Head, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026