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
Orange quarterback Rickie Collins dropped back and threw a deep pass intended for receiver Darius Johnson.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier dropped back to pass only to find Rodriguez in coverage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter, on Carolina’s third offensive sack, Dalton dropped back, got pressure, couldn’t escape and fumbled again.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
That was especially considering the Eagles dropped back-to-back games after winning their first four.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
McNeill dropped back and scrambled for a few seconds before finding Kash Kelly in the end zone for a touchdown.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
With space, Alejado dropped back and quickly spotted another wide-open target, Nick Cenacle.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Wentz dropped back, planted his back foot and uncorked a missile.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Tyquan Thornton dropped back to fourth on the depth chart with Xavier Worthy’s return, but Thornton still led Kansas City in receiving yards (90) and should continue to have a role in the offense moving forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier dropped back to pass only to find Rodriguez in coverage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter, on Carolina’s third offensive sack, Dalton dropped back, got pressure, couldn’t escape and fumbled again.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
That was especially considering the Eagles dropped back-to-back games after winning their first four.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
McNeill dropped back and scrambled for a few seconds before finding Kash Kelly in the end zone for a touchdown.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
With space, Alejado dropped back and quickly spotted another wide-open target, Nick Cenacle.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Wentz dropped back, planted his back foot and uncorked a missile.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Tyquan Thornton dropped back to fourth on the depth chart with Xavier Worthy’s return, but Thornton still led Kansas City in receiving yards (90) and should continue to have a role in the offense moving forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
After occupying Sinai, Britain and France succumbed to international pressure and withdrew their forces from Egypt in November.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics withdrew its guidance that said potential allergens should be avoided for high-risk babies, but didn’t have enough data to recommend introducing them early.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Unsurprisngly, Meg White, who retreated from public life and hasn’t been heard from for over a decade, was a no-show.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
People retreated in fear that more would come.—
Kim Lane Scheppele,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 32-year-old allowed two more goals in the period before being pulled out of the game by Blues head coach Jim Montgomery for backup goalie Joel Hofer.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Trump quickly pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, underscoring his commitment to isolationism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Owens and her parents, KGO 810 radio legend Ronn Owens and former KCBS reporter Jan Black, moved to Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic, after Ronn Owens retired from KGO-810 after 46 years.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Christy officially retired from professional boxing in 2012.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Spotify has long backed away from wanting to fully own and operate its own shows, finding more value in serving as a tech, monetization, and distribution platform for podcasters.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
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McIlroy backed away, drawing jeers, before Lowry came over to settle him.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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