as in withdrawn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
-
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
-
Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
-
With Detroit’s win over Calgary, the B’s dropped back to the second wild-card spot.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At some point, investigators say Michels pulled out a gun and shot the social work case manager at least once.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The gunman allegedly approached the group, pulled out a gun, and opened fire — striking Gorman in the head, according to the Chicago Police Department.—
Alexandra Koch , Matt Finn,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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