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
Gravity can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall back and obstruct the airway, making breathing harder.
—
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, lending a sympathetic ear on the phone is awkward because there are no facial expressions to fall back on.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
The ability to fall back asleep is impressive actually.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Apr. 2026
While the monologue was a blast of fresh chaos (or at least the sense of chaos) with Black jamming out with White, the rest of the show didn’t have the same kind of verve, falling back on familiar sketch formulas.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, lending a sympathetic ear on the phone is awkward because there are no facial expressions to fall back on.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
The ability to fall back asleep is impressive actually.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Apr. 2026
While the monologue was a blast of fresh chaos (or at least the sense of chaos) with Black jamming out with White, the rest of the show didn’t have the same kind of verve, falling back on familiar sketch formulas.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rebel, not knowing whether the ball was caught, didn’t retreat back to first, Gilbert said.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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Japan and South Korea stocks hit record highs overnight, before Asia-Pacific markets retreated into negative territory, following the reports of Iran tanker interceptions.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Brent crude oil futures drop back down to $65 to $70 per barrel, Conde said, prices at the pump could also lessen.—
Hali Smith
April 24,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
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The rain will be widespread on Saturday as high temperatures drop back down into the 50s.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Charged with pulling out of Mary the hurt inside, Coel exquisitely performs the task with the precision of an elite surgeon.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Upon first sighting, the eyes of children boarding the ship widen in excitement, and adults pull out their smartphones to snap photos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These threats are something Shojaei and her family know all too well — her brother Masoud, who is retired from playing, has had his assets frozen by the Iranian regime over recent weeks — while their neighbourhood was bombed by the US-Israeli offensive.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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He was forced to retire amid his battle with MS, which affects communication between the brain and body.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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