fall back

verb

Definition of fall backnext
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

Relevance

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 Today, governments are falling back on the same instinct—to join forces, but not all their forces. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026 Once the clocks fall back in November, though, earlier darkness allows the theater to squeeze in as many as three. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 The two resulting black holes must also have enough energy and momentum to move apart instead of falling back together. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 Apple's market value briefly surpassed Nvidia in July, before falling back below. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. drop back
  4. pull out
  5. retire
Verb
  • The Mustangs were expected to play in the Prep Bowl playoffs, but the school’s administration withdrew after the coaching change.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Harry and Meghan had been slated to deliver a keynote speech together at the Lost Screen Memorial, but Meghan withdrew, leaving Harry to address the event solo.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • Misty mornings walking the ancient tracks and climbing tors, afternoons yomping across moorland in conditions that demand retreating somewhere cozy for a hot bath and a roaring fire.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • After pushback from vets groups and others, the administration retreated from its threat of mass layoffs.
    — Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • On third-and-goal from the Utah 2-yard line, Bachmeier dropped back to pass and tried to throw a slant, but linebacker Trey Reynolds jumped the route and intercepted the ball, ending the scoring threat.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Georgia won six of its first seven SEC matches but has dropped back-to-back matches to Texas A&M and Missouri.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop back
Verb
  • The Chiefs appeared to have pulled out a thrilling victory Sunday in Denver.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Two men wearing ski masks entered the club, which was hosting a costume party, and at least one of them pulled out a gun and fired into the crowd on the dance floor, CNN affiliate WAPT reported.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of pull out
Verb
  • While the youngest retiring age, 62, could receive up to $2,969 per month, a recipient who waited until 70 years old could receive up to $5,181 per month, according to the Social Security Administration.
    — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Kyle Hansen, a Marine veteran who medically retired after a 2017 training accident at Camp Pendleton, founded the nonprofit seven years ago.
    — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

fall away
fall back
fall back on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of boilerplate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All