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

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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 In 1979, Skylab did fall back to Earth, and a couple of pieces actually survived the trip (just not at Camp Firewood). — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 It was expected to crest at 12 feet in the afternoon and fall back below by Friday morning. — Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2026 The additional allowances are available only until the price falls back below the threshold, or the reserve of extra allowances is depleted. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 The risk of debris falling back to Earth and harming someone or something is slim but not zero. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 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
  • When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The player reported that the man had opened a knife and moved toward him before retreating into his room.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Despite dropping back in the final kilometers, overall leader Tadej Pogačar limited his time losses by driving the main chase group across the line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor dropped back three steps and arced a jump ball into the corner over Barron and into the mitts of Sheppard, who appeared to scrape both toes along the turf before the Broncos’ stopper shoved him out of bounds.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop back
Verb
  • Chelsea and Everton were left stunned after Monaco called off the sale of Lamine Camara to the former English club, only for his team-mate and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to pull out of a move to the latter.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Piacenti, 32, was stabbed in the abdomen after police say suspect Pamela Cisneros pulled out a pair of knives and attacked Piacenti and a 68-year-old man, according to NYPD ​Commissioner ⁠Jessica Tisch.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pull out
Verb
  • The sellers, who are retiring, bought the retail space from The Arlington’s original developers back in 2007, Walker said.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The man who caught him, Pete Willis (De Niro), has been retired from public service for almost as long, even if there are still a few loose ends that haunt him.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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