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
If the war ends quickly, or if there is an extended ceasefire that opens the Strait of Hormuz, the price of crude oil could rapidly fall back, and that would drive down gas prices.
—
Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Energy prices fall back but remain high The news of potential negotiations drove down the price of oil.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Skies will be mostly clear overnight, with temperatures falling back into the upper 40s.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
And many middle-aged adults were already enrolled in the lowest-cost plans available, which leaves them without cheaper options to fall back on, said Matt McGough, a policy analyst with KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.
—Sam Whitehead, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Energy prices fall back but remain high The news of potential negotiations drove down the price of oil.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Skies will be mostly clear overnight, with temperatures falling back into the upper 40s.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
And many middle-aged adults were already enrolled in the lowest-cost plans available, which leaves them without cheaper options to fall back on, said Matt McGough, a policy analyst with KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.
—Sam Whitehead, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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The streaming giant’s stock price doesn’t yet reflect it, but analysts’ uniformly positive reaction is perhaps the biggest vote of confidence by the Street since Netflix last month withdrew its proposal to acquire Warner Bros.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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If earnings are withdrawn early and don’t qualify for an exception, a 10% additional tax penalty may apply.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The challenge is not to retreat from circulation, but to insist that circulation be thought through, grounded in specific places and their conditions, and accountable, open to friction, contamination, and transformation rather than insulated coherence.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The neighborhood/area Upscale with large avenues, grand villas, and plenty of greenery, Parioli’s the perfect place to retreat to after a day’s sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Highs drop back into the 50s, maybe even some 40s, with an unsettled feel and a few more shower chances Thursday into Friday.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sources said the man was arguing with his killer when the gunman pulled out a weapon and fired two shots.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Green was on the back of the vehicle, pulled out a gun and fired it multiple times toward a group that included several children, police said.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But with Graves set to retire and not seek reelection, Kansas City stands on the brink of losing a seat at one of the most important tables in Congress.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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Jose Franco retired five batters before leaving with two on.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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