as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Arrests peaked at an average of almost 1,200 per day in early June, but the pace has since fallen back to levels seen in April.
—Albert Sun, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
This is something that has become a fall back for me, a comfort.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
If Trump’s pressure on Zelensky hasn’t yet yielded the results Moscow wants, there’s always military force to fall back on.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Arrests peaked at an average of almost 1,200 per day in early June, but the pace has since fallen back to levels seen in April.
—Albert Sun, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
This is something that has become a fall back for me, a comfort.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
If Trump’s pressure on Zelensky hasn’t yet yielded the results Moscow wants, there’s always military force to fall back on.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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The reaction to this was dynamic, which for some meant withdrawing from opportunities and for others contributed to burnout and decisions to leave their jobs altogether.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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But Russia's prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, signed a decree proposed by the Cabinet on August 25 to withdraw from the convention, and Putin has now submitted this to the Duma, which is likely to rubber stamp it.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like, say, where the Chiefs looked eager to retreat — the locker room.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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Afterward, retreat to the spa’s relaxation lounge—where a glowing copper teardrop floats above cedar banquettes—while next door, the subterranean fitness center boasts Technogym gear and treadmills—all below the waterline.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Borralho dropped back to 185 pounds for his UFC debut in April 2011.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Bullock, who had a fine game otherwise, dropped back, didn’t see an open man and took a sack for a 15-yard loss rather than throw the ball away.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After a slow first half for the offense, Mahomes pulled out his trademark Mahomes Magic to get the team back on track and come within a possession of taking the lead in the fourth quarter.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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The costume designers initially pulled out a prosthetic baby bump.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the first inning, Cameron retired his first two batters before Luis Rengifo tagged him with a three-run homer.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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Messi is expected to play through the 2026 World Cup and is in negotiations to extend his Inter Miami contract at least through the 2026 season but will likely retire before the 2030 World Cup.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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