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

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 inconsistent Sparks have dropped back-to-back games since firing GM Raegan Pebley. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 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 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

China declared a unilateral ceasefire on November 21 and withdrew from the eastern sector behind the McMahon Line while retaining about 14,700 square miles (38,000 square km) of territory in Aksai Chin.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
In July, after the planning commission recommended against rezoning, the developer withdrew its request days before the village board vote.

— Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Kelly, typically a non-demonstrative engineer, retreated to the airplane bathroom and sobbed.

— Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
But instead of pulling back, Elmi says, the founders reinvested their own capital, applied it to operating as an essential business, and secured favorable lease terms and available talent while competitors retreated.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of retreated

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 pulled out

Verb

Though raced throughout the season, the car was subsequently retired for an extended period because of rule modifications.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 July 2026
She was considered more vulnerable than Perdue after being appointed to replace Johnny Isakson, who retired because of health issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

All three officers immediately backed away from Morgan, while Kephart retreated next to his patrol car.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
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