FALLEN BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

fallen back

verb

past participle of fall back

as in withdrawn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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fallen back Crude oil prices have recently fallen back into the $90-per-barrel range as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased, AAA said. — Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Prices have already fallen back toward ¥3,300 ($21) and, by Inoue’s estimate, could keep sliding toward 2022 and 2023 levels or lower. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 In recent years, movie audiences have fallen back in love with the whodunnit, thanks to the mighty talents of Rian Johnson and Kenneth Branagh and more. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 The question asked by the team was how to bring a wave packet that has fallen back into contact with the one that stayed behind—the same atom on the other path—so that the two can interfere. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 However, in the dying stages of the two-lap course, Denmark managed to stay on the foils longer and close the gap to Los Gallos, who had fallen back to the surface. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 And after a hot start, quarterback Bo Nix has fallen back into inconsistency, with even fewer windows available in Wednesday’s team periods given the absences of his two top receivers in Waddle and Sutton. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 To all these worries, add the bullpen, which has fallen back to earth after its club-record 38-inning scoreless streak. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Spending on consumer fireworks nearly doubled between 2019 and 2020, according to APA figures, and hasn’t fallen back to pre-Covid levels since. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back

Verb

Sotheby’s announced Thursday that the works, recently designated French national treasures, had been withdrawn following discussions between the Schlumberger family and the city of Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne’s hometown.

— Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Nearly three decades of occupation followed, and troops were withdrawn only following the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 and the subsequent Cedar Revolution.

— Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdrawn

Verb

Crawford retired after that victory — the best of his career — and Mbilli went from interim champion to full WBC champion.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Alfie Rivera opened the Andersonville housewares shop in July with his husband, Tom Rzeszutek, and his mother, Barbie Daggett, who had recently retired and was eager to spend time with him.

— Judy Sutton Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

Georgia won six of its first seven SEC matches but has dropped back-to-back matches to Texas A&M and Missouri.

— Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
During the second quarter of this year there were 14 immediate jeopardy findings, representing a spike, but in the third quarter the numbers dropped back down to eight.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped back

Verb

Czechia pulled out of the event this month, but its public broadcaster cited budget cuts as the reason.

— Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Chicago police said the victim was in the street, involved in an argument with another person who pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the leg and abdomen.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

fallen away

fallen back

fallen back on

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“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of fallen back

verb

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