as in withdrawn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
While Monday’s state average had fallen back slightly, AAA stated there are no signs of price rises slowing, with a 22-cent climb since last week.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
In early trading Monday morning, both indexes had fallen back slightly.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
For instance, the aluminum could have exploded out of the supernova, while the iron — coming from deeper in the star’s core — could have fallen back into the dead star.
—James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 2 Mar. 2026
These two teams have been Super Bowl contenders for years thanks to MVP-winning quarterbacks, though both have fallen back a bit (especially Baltimore).
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, McDonnell has fallen back on the message that the LAPD has a long-standing policy of not getting involved in civil immigration enforcement.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
One thing Grande isn’t showing signs of slowing down on in the near future is acting, having fallen back in love with the artform through her time on the Wicked set.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The city’s vacancy rate has fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, and new housing construction is at its weakest pace in a decade, the report added.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
In early trading Monday morning, both indexes had fallen back slightly.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
For instance, the aluminum could have exploded out of the supernova, while the iron — coming from deeper in the star’s core — could have fallen back into the dead star.
—James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 2 Mar. 2026
These two teams have been Super Bowl contenders for years thanks to MVP-winning quarterbacks, though both have fallen back a bit (especially Baltimore).
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, McDonnell has fallen back on the message that the LAPD has a long-standing policy of not getting involved in civil immigration enforcement.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
One thing Grande isn’t showing signs of slowing down on in the near future is acting, having fallen back in love with the artform through her time on the Wicked set.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The city’s vacancy rate has fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, and new housing construction is at its weakest pace in a decade, the report added.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back
Verb
-
Churchill Downs announced Silent Tactic, who was 20-1 on the morning line, has been withdrawn from Saturday’s race.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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El Gamal has since divorced the children's father, Mohammed Soliman, whose family has said spent little time at home before the incident and was often withdrawn.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vaughn Sharp hit an RBI double in the third for the Mustangs but Sharp was left stranded on third when Blaine retired the next two batters.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
She has essentially been retired as an artist in recent years, releasing only a few collaborative singles since her last full album in 2016.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The teachers retreated, some taking cover in the room.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
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Tatum briefly retreated toward the locker room during the third quarter of the Celtics’ 106-93 defeat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
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Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mira pulled out a fifties-style blue frock.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Dollars are pulled out of local communities instead of being reinvested into the grid and the people who depend on it.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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