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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Recent Examples of drop back
The bitcoin price, which soared in the aftermath of president Donald Trump’s November U.S. election victory, has dropped back as fears swirl U.S. tariffs could hit the global economy—with some analysts warning a recent bitcoin price plunge could be just getting started.
—
Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
The still image above helps to capture several of the issues at hand for City’s wide players in recent weeks, from a lack of overlapping runs by makeshift or inverted full-backs to the sheer number of bodies opposing teams are routinely able to drop back into defensive positions.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
But the weight soon dropped back down to match the control group.
—New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
The still image above helps to capture several of the issues at hand for City’s wide players in recent weeks, from a lack of overlapping runs by makeshift or inverted full-backs to the sheer number of bodies opposing teams are routinely able to drop back into defensive positions.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
But the weight soon dropped back down to match the control group.
—New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back
Verb
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Martin withdrew from consideration for the post that requires Senate confirmation and Trump named him to a Justice Department post instead.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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Fisher Scientific withdrew its full-year profit forecast while the medical equipment maker expects to take a $400 million hit in sales to China, as Trump’s tariffs would likely raise the cost of parts the company sources in China.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The Continental Army retreated from Montreal and its environs in June 1776, after British reinforcements from the north began recapturing the province.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
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After the trial ended, in which Heard was originally ordered to pay Depp $15 million, the actress largely retreated from the public eye, moving away from her home in California to Spain with her daughter, Oonagh, in search of privacy.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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On average, three satellites fall back to Earth every day, according to a report released by ESA last month.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
5 May 2025
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Convinced that the Mexican army was embarking on an offensive operation, Wool and his army fell back to Angostura, which could be more easily defended.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Last week, novelist Salman Rushdie pulled out of commencement at Claremont McKenna College in California following backlash from the Claremont College Muslim Student Association over his criticism of pro-Palestinian protests.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Famine was declared in the camp in August after RSF attacks forced the United Nations and aid groups to pull out of Zamzam.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter retired after the season and was replaced by tight ends coach Nate Potter.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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Stroh needed surgery to repair tendons in his hand, and when the surgery did not go well, he was forced to retire from the department.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drop%20back. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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