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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The odds of the Clarity Act being passed this year have dropped back from almost 70% on the Polymarket prediction platform, falling to just over 50%.
—
Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 31 May 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
Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.
—Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 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
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 31 May 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
Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.
—Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 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
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
Less than a week later, the UA withdrew the offer.—
Ryan Anderson,
Arkansas Online,
29 May 2026
-
Historians say the original Liberty Pole was erected as British forces withdrew from New York following their defeat in the Revolutionary War, a symbolic act meant to assert American independence and taunt departing troops.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
While India’s media landscape has largely retreated in the face of the Hindu right’s fascism, Kandasamy is one of the few consistently at the barricades.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Travel stocks — Shares of airlines and cruise operators rose as oil prices retreated on Wednesday.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Some sponsors have pulled out of the celebrations Last year, some big corporations stopped contributing to Pride events.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Calvin Buergey pulled out a $100 bill to buy a bottle of Coke.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
White retired from professional cooking in 1999 and took the unconventional step of handing his three stars back and has since become a vocal critic of the Michelin star system.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Wie West retired three years ago after the Open at Pebble Beach, but came out of retirement to use her last year of exemption to play on this iconic course, celebrating its centennial.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Lindsey backed away onto a median and Milligan followed him.—
Caroline Zimmerman
May 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Raman has since backed away from the ban.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
