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 president could fall back on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days on imports from countries with large trade surpluses, or Section 301 of the same law, which allows tariffs in response to unfair trade practices.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This put the rocket on a trajectory to soar to a peak altitude of 119 miles (192 kilometers), passing over the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, and then the Indian Ocean before falling back into the atmosphere.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Deep down, believers in two states, confronted with all reasons to surrender their faith, fall back on a single argument: there is no realistic alternative.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This put the rocket on a trajectory to soar to a peak altitude of 119 miles (192 kilometers), passing over the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, and then the Indian Ocean before falling back into the atmosphere.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Deep down, believers in two states, confronted with all reasons to surrender their faith, fall back on a single argument: there is no realistic alternative.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 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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Maxwell pitched a scoreless, and then Connor Phillips, a relative veteran with 18 big-league appearances on his resume, worked around a walk to retire the top of the Padres’ order and earned the win following Tyler Stephenson’s homer.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Rutherford, who retired in 2021 but previously worked with Barth on certain programs, said Barth’s expertise was particularly useful in dealing with challenges that most people don’t fully consider.—
Nathan Ansell,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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