FALLBACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

fall back

verb

Definition of fall back

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fall back And after falling back slightly this week, bond yields are on the rise again. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Bond yields offered some slack on Tuesday after falling back from their highest levels in years or even decades. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Crude oil prices have recently fallen back into the $90-per-barrel range as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased, AAA said. — Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 When this happens, leaders fall back on observation and instinct. — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back

Verb

On Monday, Chinese manufacturer Kepuni Holdings withdrew plans for a Nasdaq listing that had been expected to raise $15 million.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Longtime collaborator Erik Blood foregrounds Butler’s dry drum machines in the mix, letting every other element shuffle around them, snaking toward the spotlight for a brief moment and retreating back into the brume.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
If broadcaster partnerships are helping Netflix expand its offering in Europe and Latin America, India shows why the streamer is unlikely to retreat from investing in local originals.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

The Lucca Comics chief speaks to Variety about pulling out all the stops to celebrate the crossover between different forms of geek culture, in particular between movies and video games.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
The biggest names in movies, music, fashion and beyond pulled out their sartorial best for the annual fundraiser that celebrates cinematic achievement and raises money for the museum.

— Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull out

Browse Nearby Words

fall away

fall back

fall back on

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Style

“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fall back

verb

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