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
The position has now fallen back below the 50-day moving average.
—
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Without those moments, Arsenal have fallen back on set pieces and defending.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The result is a fashion movie that takes the art at its center for granted, a work of radical narrative freedom which falls back on last season’s tropes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
After a couple of minutes, the booster separated with Starship, falling back to Earth to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico as planned a few minutes later.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Without those moments, Arsenal have fallen back on set pieces and defending.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The result is a fashion movie that takes the art at its center for granted, a work of radical narrative freedom which falls back on last season’s tropes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
After a couple of minutes, the booster separated with Starship, falling back to Earth to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico as planned a few minutes later.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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Hulst and Toomey decided to withdraw from the mile at the State meet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Generally, the pre-tax money that’s deposited in traditional IRAs cannot be withdrawn before age 59½ without paying a 10% early-withdrawal tax penalty, unless an exception is met.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Luna and Lee both believe frustration will die down by November about trash fees and Balboa Park parking, which the City Council retreated on by agreeing to a complex deal last month.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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To their credit, the Wayans don’t entirely retreat from controversy.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The odds of the Clarity Act being passed this year have dropped back from almost 70% on the Polymarket prediction platform, falling to just over 50%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Wilson told the outlet that Junie knows her way home, adding that the cat could be dropped back off at the family's property.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Roberts pulled Ohtani after the Dodgers pulled out to a seven-run lead in the top of the seventh inning.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
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Instead of those handle halves folding around close to 180 degrees to reveal a central set of pliers like many other Leathermans do, one of the Crunch's handles pulls out and swings downward via an internal arm to reveal the pliers, which in turn swing into position.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Verb
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After teaching at Bard College for over two decades, Sante has retired from academia and lives in Kingston, New York.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido said in court that Perry is retired and received an honorable discharge from the military.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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