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
And prices dropped back around the $2 mark soon after thanks to a higher production of broilers — or chickens raised for meat — in the latter half of the year.
—
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
On third down, Maye dropped back to pass, felt pressure and scrambled up the middle for 16 yards.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Late in the third quarter, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dropped back to pass, looking for answers.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to throw on 4th-and-short, but the Texans covered his primary target out of the backfield.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The cryptocurrency rose above $96,000 late last week but has dropped back to around $89,700.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Facing third-and-goal with just under three minutes remaining, Purdy dropped back, went through his first two progressions, stepped forward in the pocket and finally found McCaffrey streaking into the end zone ahead of linebacker Nakobe Dean.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
On third down, Maye dropped back to pass, felt pressure and scrambled up the middle for 16 yards.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Late in the third quarter, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dropped back to pass, looking for answers.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to throw on 4th-and-short, but the Texans covered his primary target out of the backfield.
—Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The cryptocurrency rose above $96,000 late last week but has dropped back to around $89,700.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Facing third-and-goal with just under three minutes remaining, Purdy dropped back, went through his first two progressions, stepped forward in the pocket and finally found McCaffrey streaking into the end zone ahead of linebacker Nakobe Dean.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
But according to the university, the program will not move forward as scheduled, after Weiss’ team withdrew from the event.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Focusing on Mental Health Everything changed when a 24-year-old Simone Biles withdrew from the finals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, mentioning her mental health struggles.—
Kristy Alpert,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its stock fell nearly 6%, while shares of other asset managers, such as Blackstone and Apollo Global Management, retreated as well.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The freeskiers, placed on the back end of the Olympic schedule, retreated to Laax, Switzerland, for a week of training.—
Eddie Pells,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At which time someone in a Manhattan athletics department office pulled out their magnifying class and Tang’s contract, finding a way to get rid of the coach and not pay him.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The administration has quietly pulled out National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, The Washington Post reported.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although we are retired, our lives revolve around her needs.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But Liu, who retired from the sport and then came back on her own terms, doesn’t care about a win.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Firefighters arrived several minutes after the blaze began, but backed away after a few protesters blocked their truck from reaching the loading dock.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
