DROPPED BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

dropped back

verb

past tense of drop back

as in withdrew

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 dropped back No one has dropped back more over the last two years than Nix. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026 Advocaat threw his arms in the air, dropped back into his seat, and wept again. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt said cornerback Kelee Ringo shouted out a signal to him before the snap, and Hunt dropped back into coverage and snagged Dalton’s throw. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Wilson told the outlet that Junie knows her way home, adding that the cat could be dropped back off at the family's property. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026 The price later dropped back down. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 Apr. 2026 Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th. — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 When the Nissan dropped back, Mulligan signalled once more. — Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Daily use has dropped back down since the holiday frenzy, according to online news reports. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back

Verb

The appearance came several months after Roy withdrew from the Berlin Film Festival over its refusal to comment on Gaza.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2026
That overperformance by the Democratic candidate held true in every state polled other than Maine, where the poll was conducted before Graham Platner withdrew from the race following a rape accusation.

— Caroline Soler, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

In the pandemic years, demographic experts say, under-35 adults retreated to parental homes to ride out quarantines and escape big-city crowds.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Disposable income has since retreated to the normal upward trendline, but no matter.

— Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

The attorney general of Louisiana later pulled out of participation in the petition, Marijuana Moment reported in June.

— Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
The unidentified man is thought to have been sitting by the window when he was suddenly pulled out, head-first and up to his shoulders, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT.

— Chris Liakos, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of pulled out

Verb

Social Security benefits — paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired — are typically scheduled to go out on Wednesdays.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

When OpenAI launched its Sora video app last fall with limited likeness protections, SAG-AFTRA condemned it, and OpenAI backed away within days.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
As a candidate, Hong has not backed away from her calls to defund and abolish the police.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026