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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Recent Examples of dropped back
Nix dropped back and saw his top target, Courtland Sutton, settling open into a zone between two defenders.
—
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Jackson dropped back to pass, but the play just never developed.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Faced with a fourth-and-1, Denegal dropped back, looked to run, then tried lobbing a pass to tight end Seth Adams.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Facing third and goal, Wells dropped back and decided to tuck the ball, dodging two defenders on his way to a seven-yard touchdown run.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
In the third quarter, Bryce Young dropped back and under pressure lobbed the ball about 35 yards in McMillan’s general direction.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2025
Wilson, the defending champion in the Orange County Championships and third-place finisher in the CIF SS Division II State championships, dropped back to eighth after the second mile.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Denver’s late fourth-quarter play-call was the most obvious head-scratcher of any decision against the Titans, as Nix dropped back and fired off an incomplete go-ball to Marvin Mims on a fourth-and-eight with a minute left.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Jackson dropped back to pass, but the play just never developed.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Faced with a fourth-and-1, Denegal dropped back, looked to run, then tried lobbing a pass to tight end Seth Adams.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Facing third and goal, Wells dropped back and decided to tuck the ball, dodging two defenders on his way to a seven-yard touchdown run.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
In the third quarter, Bryce Young dropped back and under pressure lobbed the ball about 35 yards in McMillan’s general direction.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2025
Wilson, the defending champion in the Orange County Championships and third-place finisher in the CIF SS Division II State championships, dropped back to eighth after the second mile.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Denver’s late fourth-quarter play-call was the most obvious head-scratcher of any decision against the Titans, as Nix dropped back and fired off an incomplete go-ball to Marvin Mims on a fourth-and-eight with a minute left.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
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After President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection campaign yesterday, the endorsements have been rolling in for Vice President Kamala Harris to be selected as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
While the Dartmouth players withdrew their unionization petition after the 2024 presidential election, their success could inspire similar efforts at other schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Since the auto industry has retreated, Flint has been marred by poverty and violence.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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But previous Daniel Jones models would have withered after such an ugly start and retreated to an all-checkdown menu for the rest of the game.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her home was a place where the dining table seemed to stretch forever, with card tables pulled out and set up to accommodate everyone.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
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The Sonata pulled out in front of the Palisade, then the Palisade hit the Sonata in the intersection, the investigation found.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Strahm had just retired the right-handed hitting Mookie Betts and has actually been better against right-handers than lefties this season.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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With 12-year-old Bentley now retired from running, Otis carries on the family tradition – sprinting down the same hill with the same excitement.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McIlroy backed away, drawing jeers, before Lowry came over to settle him.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Benson, however, remained hesitant and eventually fully backed away.—
Alex Ross,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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