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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
In 2023, federal lawmakers introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more springing forward or falling back.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As highlighted below, teams can be aggressive in going player-for-player (often led by the lone striker) or fall back into a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 defensive block.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As highlighted below, teams can be aggressive in going player-for-player (often led by the lone striker) or fall back into a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 defensive block.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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After occupying Sinai, Britain and France succumbed to international pressure and withdrew their forces from Egypt in November.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics withdrew its guidance that said potential allergens should be avoided for high-risk babies, but didn’t have enough data to recommend introducing them early.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the example below from their 2-1 win over Girona, Barcelona man-mark the opposition midfielders but Fermin Lopez’s passive positioning allows a pass into retreating centre-forward Portu.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Teddy demands that Michelle take him and Don to her Andromedan leader in the hope of forcing the invaders to retreat.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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McNeill dropped back and scrambled for a few seconds before finding Kash Kelly in the end zone for a touchdown.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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With space, Alejado dropped back and quickly spotted another wide-open target, Nick Cenacle.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Charlotte 49ers were on the brink of pulling out a season-changing upset through three quarters against North Texas (7-1, 3-1 American), but a dreadful fourth quarter brought Tim Albin’s upset hopes crashing down, losing 54-20 in a Friday night blowout.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Measure Carefully Time to pull out your kitchen scale.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Kroos retired from all football in summer 2024, and there were concerns at the club this off-season that the squad lacks such experienced heads, after Modric (and fellow long-serving squad member Lucas Vazquez) also left.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Glover, who left the church in 2007 and retired last year after a half century in the Assemblies of God, denied these accounts.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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