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as in withdrawn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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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
  1. withdrawn
  2. retired
  3. retreated
  4. dropped back
  5. pulled out
Verb
  • A number of countries have withdrawn from the court this year, including Venezuela and Chad.
    — MATTHEW LEE, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Inevitably, Kreutzer’s film was tarnished by association and even withdrawn from some cinemas.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Verb
  • Tampa Bay batters were retired in order in seven innings, and Junior Caminero had four strikeouts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow retired his first 10 batters — six on strikeouts — while working with a 4-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of retired
Verb
  • After the physical altercation, both men retreated toward their vehicles after witness Jamie Jedlinsky, 70, reportedly stepped in to defuse the situation.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Shares exploded higher by as much as 211% but retreated from those peaks and are starting to form an interesting baseline.
    — Jay Woods, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreated
Verb
  • On 3rd-and-22, Love dropped back to pass and launched the football 53 yards and found Watson in the back of the end zone.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • As Goff dropped back to pass, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta gave Umanmielen a hard chip block.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of dropped back
Verb
  • The trooper pulled out and followed the Gladiator driver until finding a safe spot for a traffic stop in the area of Exit 51.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Following Macklemore's removal, all of Sheeran's remaining opening acts and supporting musicians, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, pulled out in solidarity with the rapper.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

fallen away
fallen back
fallen back on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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