as in withdrawn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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Meanwhile, claims for four players were denied or withdrawn, leaving 37 pending claims.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
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Charlotte law firm Grier, Wright and Martinez has withdrawn as counsel for American Log Homes and Cabins after being overwhelmed by claims totaling millions of dollars against just $49,000 in assets.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Verb
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White retired from professional cooking in 1999 and took the unconventional step of handing his three stars back and has since become a vocal critic of the Michelin star system.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
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Wie West retired three years ago after the Open at Pebble Beach, but came out of retirement to use her last year of exemption to play on this iconic course, celebrating its centennial.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
While India’s media landscape has largely retreated in the face of the Hindu right’s fascism, Kandasamy is one of the few consistently at the barricades.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Travel stocks — Shares of airlines and cruise operators rose as oil prices retreated on Wednesday.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
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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After Montreal pulled out, costs kept mounting for the two other Canadian host cities, Toronto and Vancouver.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2026
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The Harris County Sheriff's Office told FOX26 that Erebia's son was putting gas into the Chevy Silverado when Hogan allegedly pulled out a gun and took the pickup truck.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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