Synonyms of dropped back

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrew
• retreated
• fell back
• pulled out
• retired
• backed away
• lost ground
• gave way
• fled
• receded
• evacuated
• gave ground
• flew
• left
• climbed down
• pulled away
• backed down
• flinched
• detached
• recoiled
• shrank
• bowed out
• departed
• went
• abandoned
• chickened (out)
• vacated
• disengaged
• quit
• backtracked
• backpedaled
• disentangled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advanced
• confronted
• faced
• dared
• bearded
• defied
• braved
• breasted
• outbraved
• brazened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dropped back

Then Underwood dropped back, stepped up, rolled right and threw a long touchdown pass to Buchanan for a 19-14 lead. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

Local favorite Tom Vaillant, a two-time winner on the smaller Alps Tour but still looking for his first European tour title, started the day second but dropped back to finish joint-third along with three other players after a final-day 70. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

In 2025, however, this figure dropped back to about 12 percent, near its average of 12 percent since 2010. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

As Dart dropped back to pass during the opening drive of Monday’s game, he was hit in the backfield by two converging Rams pass rushers. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Then, on the very next series, Philo coolly dropped back on third-and-11 – with the crowd going bonkers – and fired a 20-yard TD strike to Dallas Wilson. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

On 3rd and 5 from West Virginia’s own 38-yard-line, Hawkins dropped back under duress and chucked it up towards the left sideline. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Herbert dropped back into shotgun and sent Tre’ Harris in motion from right to left. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Mahomes dropped back just four minutes into the Chiefs’ opener against the Broncos on Monday, looked to his left and never took his eyes off his favorite target, Travis Kelce, before firing in his direction. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026