as in retreating
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 falling back
Springing forward and falling back may be a thing of the past for Georgia if an unusual attempt to keep the state in daylight saving time all year round.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Blue light suppresses melatonin and makes falling back asleep significantly harder.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
In 2025, things got even worse, with the team falling back to seventh after being overtaken by Williams and the Racing Bulls.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
Crude prices shot up above $100 on the news of the attacks before falling back a bit.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Brent crude, the international standard, spiked to nearly $120 on Monday before falling back but was still at around $90 a barrel on Tuesday, nearly 24% higher than when the war started.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
On Monday, markets swung from big losses to finish the day with gains, while oil prices neared $120 per barrel before falling back to about $90.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The rocket reached an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before falling back to Earth.
—Julian Dossett, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Despite a calamitous financial outlook, its share price has shown resiliency — soaring to an all-time high of almost $500 last month before falling back to around $422 this morning after the Q4 reveal.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Blue light suppresses melatonin and makes falling back asleep significantly harder.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
In 2025, things got even worse, with the team falling back to seventh after being overtaken by Williams and the Racing Bulls.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
Crude prices shot up above $100 on the news of the attacks before falling back a bit.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Brent crude, the international standard, spiked to nearly $120 on Monday before falling back but was still at around $90 a barrel on Tuesday, nearly 24% higher than when the war started.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
On Monday, markets swung from big losses to finish the day with gains, while oil prices neared $120 per barrel before falling back to about $90.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The rocket reached an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before falling back to Earth.
—Julian Dossett, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Despite a calamitous financial outlook, its share price has shown resiliency — soaring to an all-time high of almost $500 last month before falling back to around $422 this morning after the Q4 reveal.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling back
Verb
-
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Assuming six weeks of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the company predicts oil prices peaking at $115 per barrel in April and retreating by nearly a third to $80 by the end of the year.—
Alison Saldanha,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Daines later said withdrawing earlier could have enticed a prominent Democrat like Tester to enter the race.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Chock and Bates decided not to pursue a fourth straight ice dance world championship, joining Olympic teammate Alysa Liu in withdrawing from the worlds, a common decision for skaters who compete at the Winter Games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fallout from that ordeal, in addition to being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus, led to Barber pulling out of a main event fight against fellow Coloradan Rose Namajunas at Ball Arena that July.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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The post didn't specify the 38-year-old Djokovic's reason for pulling out, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since losing in three sets to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Brent crude oil prices on Thursday briefly topped $119 per barrel before dropping back down.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Tree pollen in Austin is forecast to be very high on Wednesday, then climb to extreme levels Thursday through Saturday, before dropping back to very high on Sunday and Monday.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Conner Phillips walked Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn before retiring three straight for his first career save.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Since retiring from a 25-year career in the Army in 2016, Bennett has been active in local government, first serving as the chief innovation officer for the City of Kansas City until 2019.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falling back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling%20back. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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