DROPPING BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dropping back

verb

present participle of drop back

as in withdrawing

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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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 dropping back The soggy weekend comes as temperatures are expected to climb again in Los Angeles this week, soaring into the mid-90s by Wednesday and Thursday and dropping back into the 80s next weekend. — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Despite dropping back in the final kilometers, overall leader Tadej Pogačar limited his time losses by driving the main chase group across the line. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The loss snapped Miami’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play and was the team’s third loss in a row after dropping back-to-back games in the Leagues Cup tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Downs is everywhere As expected, rookie defensive back Caleb Downs has been moved all over the field, mostly playing nickel cornerback but also dropping back to play deep safety. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2026 With both blockades fueling fears over global energy supplies, the price of international benchmark Brent crude oil jumped above the $100 a barrel threshold Thursday for the first time since May before dropping back down. — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 24 July 2026 The Dream fell to the Seattle Storm 105-90 on Saturday after dropping back-to-back games to the Golden State Valkyries — 77-66 on June 24 and 78-75 on June 26. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropping back

Verb

The White House did not give a reason for withdrawing Schroyer's nomination.

— Luke Barr, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Kraft rallied together several other stadium owners into withdrawing their venues from the tour if Macklemore had been allowed to perform.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

The risk of debris falling back to Earth and harming someone or something is slim but not zero.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
The action was stronger in the oil market, where the price for a barrel of Brent crude briefly jumped above $90 in the morning before falling back below $87.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of falling back

Verb

Use credit, but be smart about it When finances are tight, pulling out a credit card may seem irresponsible.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
Just as Alcaraz took the long view with his wrist injury, pulling out of tournaments early and ramping up his comeback slowly, for Sinner, there is no reward in risk.

— James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pulling out

Verb

The mission will arrive at the moons in 2027, spend two years mapping Phobos and selecting a landing site for sampling before backing away to observe Deimos.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Instead of literally backing away, in this example, the person metaphorically backs away by completing the session and exiting as expected without further conflict.

— Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026