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 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 Instead of jumping it, though, Lewis reacted by falling back off of his coverage and toward Sutton in the back of the end zone. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 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 Republican governor did not provide a reason for withdrawing Thompson’s death warrant but had temporarily stayed his execution last month pending a psychiatric evaluation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • According to online court records, two of the three cases were settled and one was withdrawn.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • Meanwhile, conservative activists spread rumors last week that Talarico was struggling with his mental health and had secretly retreated to an Ohio hospital.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • While Chelsea tend to retreat after taking the lead, their opponents also become more aggressive in response, committing extra bodies forward and helping to create more open, end-to-end encounters.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • As Goff dropped back to pass, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta gave Umanmielen a hard chip block.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On second-and-8 from the CU 15, wideout Joseph Williams dropped back to pass and launched a wounded duck up the right boundary.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop back
Verb
  • Coach Curt Cignetti was asked after the game how his team could play so poorly for most of three quarters and still pull out a win.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Halfway through, Brill pulls out a machine that fills the stage with foam, submerging the actors in a cumulus of bubbles.
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of pull out
Verb
  • Nasser Barghouti, who is slightly leading Khan in large-dollar donations to American Priorities, simply stated that he is retired and residing in Dallas.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Speaking of bouncing back, the Saints have been looking for stability after legendary coach Jennie Kull retired following the 2022 season.
    — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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 syncretic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All