as in withdrawn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
These two teams have been Super Bowl contenders for years thanks to MVP-winning quarterbacks, though both have fallen back a bit (especially Baltimore).
—
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Feb. 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
One thing Grande isn’t showing signs of slowing down on in the near future is acting, having fallen back in love with the artform through her time on the Wicked set.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Feb. 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
One thing Grande isn’t showing signs of slowing down on in the near future is acting, having fallen back in love with the artform through her time on the Wicked set.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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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Honus Wagner, the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop — who is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time — disliked that his image was being used to entice kids to try tobacco, and so asked that his card be withdrawn, leading to its scarcity, and legend.—
Marin Independent Journal,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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When Epstein fulfilled his objection to plead guilty in state court pursuant to his non-prosecution agreement, the grand jury subpoena was withdrawn.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rick Davis retired in 2021 after 23 years as CNN’s vice president of news standards and practices.—
Rick Davis,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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Miller retired ahead of the 2014 midterm elections, and Aguilar easily nabbed the seat.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s double the number recorded in 2021, when the US retreated from Kabul and the Afghan Taliban returned to power.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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One officer fired five rounds toward Rohloff, who retreated into the home.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And prices dropped back around the $2 mark soon after thanks to a higher production of broilers — or chickens raised for meat — in the latter half of the year.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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On third down, Maye dropped back to pass, felt pressure and scrambled up the middle for 16 yards.—
February 9,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Disney+ jumped aboard when American majors were breaking out their check books in 2022, but pulled out of the landmark deal after just two seasons, leaving the BBC, BBC Studios and producer Bad Wolf in a pickle.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
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Rescuers reached the accident site soon after the accident, and the injured were pulled out of the wreckage and driven to hospitals for treatment, according to government administrator Mohan Prasad Neupane.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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