as in withdrawn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 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
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
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back
Verb
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According to the report, the local government in Iwakuni was previously informed by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau—a local branch of Japan's Defense Ministry—that the American missile system would be withdrawn one week after the war game.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Some of the more assertive states, including Puntland in the north and Jubaland in the south, have effectively withdrawn from Somalia’s federal system.—
Omar S Mahmood,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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Panera eventually retired the item, though not immediately (a legal expert posited to CNN that doing so promptly would have read as an admission of guilt, and in turn spur reputational damage).—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the time since, many have retreated; not just in fashion, but across industries.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the third quarter, on Carolina’s third offensive sack, Dalton dropped back, got pressure, couldn’t escape and fumbled again.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
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That was especially considering the Eagles dropped back-to-back games after winning their first four.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 32-year-old allowed two more goals in the period before being pulled out of the game by Blues head coach Jim Montgomery for backup goalie Joel Hofer.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Trump quickly pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, underscoring his commitment to isolationism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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