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
Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.
—
Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The price later dropped back down.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 25 Mar. 2026
Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The price later dropped back down.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 25 Mar. 2026
Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
Days after four Republican candidates withdrew from the upcoming Platte County election and launched independent campaigns, the county’s Republican committee announced plans to censure those candidates and deem them unwelcome within the party.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
-
Polling from March shows Becerra with just 3% of the vote, indicating a 7-point increase for Becerra between then and Emerson’s most recent survey, conducted right after Swalwell withdrew.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Frank Sinatra entertained at his Twin Palms estate; Marilyn Monroe retreated here between films, and Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in an A-frame hideaway steps from downtown.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
After 20 minutes or so, the protesters retreated.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Martin Short pulled out from a handful of professional commitments in light of his daughter’s death.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
When the moment finally came, Chelsea pulled out her phone to capture everyone's reactions on camera.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Once through that second, Adam Bushley retired nine of his last 10 batters and reached a season-high 92 pitches.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Ragans retired six of his next eight batters.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.—
Haley Busch,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Georgia General Assembly tried to face the issue this year but backed away at the last minute from a bill that almost passed.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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