as in withdraws
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 drops back
Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025.
—
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
With Leverkusen’s front players focused on stopping progression into Gravenberch, Jones drops back to receive from Alexander-Arnold.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart drops back to pass during the second half.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins drops back in the second quarter during the NFL 2025 game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
However, Gentz continued, if one assumed About You had been part of the Zalando group last year as well, then 2025 guidance for revenue growth drops back to between 4 percent and 7 percent over the full year.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
With Leverkusen’s front players focused on stopping progression into Gravenberch, Jones drops back to receive from Alexander-Arnold.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart drops back to pass during the second half.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins drops back in the second quarter during the NFL 2025 game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
However, Gentz continued, if one assumed About You had been part of the Zalando group last year as well, then 2025 guidance for revenue growth drops back to between 4 percent and 7 percent over the full year.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drops back
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS DEAL BREAKER – Government shutdown looms as key negotiator withdraws support for funding package.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The law is implemented across a number of scenarios, including if the President dies or resigns while in office under Section 1 or the President themselves withdraws from the position, which can be temporarily, under Section 3.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The top-three picks have been determined, and the task falls back to the readers to decide which will take the title in each of 50 categories, from burgers and wings to driveworthy things.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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That water then freezes in the atmosphere and falls back down as snow.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In instances when an agent approaches, a patroller typically backs away while recording the interaction, video footage posted to Union del Barrio’s YouTube page shows.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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The officer in the black beanie backs away with his gun drawn, though pointed down.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dunleavy, now the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, is trying to figure out a way to acquire Antetokounmpo, now in his 13th NBA season, and pair him with superstar Stephen Curry for one more push at an NBA championship before Curry retires.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Golden State’s future picks could be extra attractive to Milwaukee if the Bucks expect the Warriors to fall off when Curry, who turns 38 in March, eventually retires.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drops back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drops%20back. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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