as in withdrawn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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back
Verb
-
If earnings are withdrawn early and don’t qualify for an exception, a 10% additional tax penalty may apply.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
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That grant application was withdrawn at Barry’s request because Dahlin still owned the property and the town’s Redevelopment Commission hadn’t been consulted.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Veteran diplomats with decades of collective experience have been fired, retired or were reassigned -- replaced by more junior officials or political appointees.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Haupt retired Conde on a fly out to right and the runner was held at third.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For talking purposes Crane slid her prototype onto a table holding a number of others, and retreated to the radiator.—
thehustle.co,
thehustle.co,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Patrick retreated to his lodgings to pray.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Golden State Warriors just dropped back-to-back games to the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
No quarterback in the NFL has dropped back more times in the past two seasons than Nix.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The victim pulled out a firearm, which McDonald attempted to take, the statement said.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Contreras-Gafaro and another man, who officials did not identify, pulled out guns inside an Aurora apartment in the 1300 block of North Laredo Street on June 12, 2024, according to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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