as in withdrawn
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
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Recent Examples of fallen back
The Utes have fallen back from their original jump now that their UCLA win isn’t valuable anymore.
—
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
By July, sentiment had recovered, and stock market volatility (the VIX) had fallen back well below the 5-year and 10-year averages.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But as the 21-year-old surges, another Red Sox outfielder has fallen back into a brutal slump.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
By July, sentiment had recovered, and stock market volatility (the VIX) had fallen back well below the 5-year and 10-year averages.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But as the 21-year-old surges, another Red Sox outfielder has fallen back into a brutal slump.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back
Verb
-
Trump has proposed that licenses be withdrawn from companies that air content critical of him.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The suit was withdrawn on September 3.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Martinez retired from coaching at Oakmont last year and is in his final year as a physical education teacher.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Stengel, who had no children, retired to and died in California and made his name in New York and around the nation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, the puppy dashed toward his new little friend; at first the Chihuahua retreated, stuck his tongue out and paw up, and then bounded toward him.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of developing arguments or persuading people, both sides have retreated to their silos and erected their own media echo chambers.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Facing third and goal, Wells dropped back and decided to tuck the ball, dodging two defenders on his way to a seven-yard touchdown run.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Sep. 2025
-
In the third quarter, Bryce Young dropped back and under pressure lobbed the ball about 35 yards in McMillan’s general direction.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Diane pulled out a sheet from a stack of papers, and it was all crumpled up with the lyrics to the song.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Others pulled out the cameras to make comical content regarding the looming doomsday.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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