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 The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026 Attempts to do so led to Martinez’s side often dropping back and playing quick passes to wingers making runs in behind. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 18 June 2026 The new starting configuration costs $1,499 while the storage has dropped back down to 256 GB. — Luke Larsen, Wired News, 15 June 2026 So, with Beverly dropping back in, the sisters finished up their high school days together. — Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drop back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back

Verb

Women are stepping back from leadership roles, withdrawing from opportunities, and quietly losing trust in their own judgment in response to a biological event nobody told them was biological.

— Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026
After other State Department officials clarified that position, Dutch authorities withdrew the authorization while Machado’s aircraft was already in flight, forcing it to return.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Once again, Brazil’s midfield is quickly retreating towards their own goal as Morocco pile forward.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Moreover, the shock of higher prices is still fresh in people's minds and may be coloring consumers' purchasing decisions, despite signs that prices should retreat further.

— Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

Without superpowers or magic to fall back on, heroes had to rely on little more than implausible levels of ingenuity and resilience, a capacity to dodge bullets/laser fire, and a gift for making the right quip at the right time.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 July 2026
Now, the murder rate is falling back in line with other crime trends, many of which are also among the lowest ever recorded.

— James Tuttle, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

Definition of fall back

Verb

And although some of the signs are there — prices are rising by the double digits and some insurers have pulled out of the ACA — the good news is there hasn’t been a total rush for the exits.

— Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Both men then pulled out guns and shot each other, police said.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of pull out

Verb

According to Redlands’ city records and the Redlands News, Martinez retired last April as part of a $871,956 settlement agreement related to a whistleblower claim against the city.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Singh, who is set to retire later this year, said Levi’s completed the remap of Europe to an omnichannel distribution network at the end of the quarter, consolidating e-commerce fulfillment into its distribution centers in Germany and the UK.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 July 2026