as in withdrawn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 has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
By the time the survivors reached the Great Plains, the Acme and Itala had fallen back, but the Shawmut and two Fords continued to trade leads.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The position has now fallen back below the 50-day moving average.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Without those moments, Arsenal have fallen back on set pieces and defending.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 May 2026
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
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
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
By the time the survivors reached the Great Plains, the Acme and Itala had fallen back, but the Shawmut and two Fords continued to trade leads.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The position has now fallen back below the 50-day moving average.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Without those moments, Arsenal have fallen back on set pieces and defending.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back
Verb
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Instead, taxation occurs when money is contributed to or withdrawn from the IRA, depending on the type of account.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, claims for four players were denied or withdrawn, leaving 37 pending claims.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Angels starter Reid Detmers retired his first 15 batters before Shay Whitcomb homered leading off the sixth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Doughty’s longtime teammate, Anže Kopitar, retired this spring and left a huge void to fill in the middle.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Liverpool’s exposed back four retreated, and Chemsdine Talbi’s long-range effort deflected in off Van Dijk.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
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While his story has been portrayed several times, Allan has retreated from the spotlight after testifying in Candy's trial.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The odds of the Clarity Act being passed this year have dropped back from almost 70% on the Polymarket prediction platform, falling to just over 50%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Wilson told the outlet that Junie knows her way home, adding that the cat could be dropped back off at the family's property.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The region in May pulled out of a funding agreement that had been more than a decade in the making, leaving the future of the I-77 toll expansion project uncertain.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
-
The officer followed inside and told Morales to leave, but Morales allegedly pulled out a folding knife and pointed it at the officer, according to police.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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