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
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
Grande has previously shared her desire to return to theater after falling back in love with acting through the filming of Wicked.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
Be brave, and resist falling back on English Don’t fear being laughed at or scolded for speaking imperfectly, said Massimo Macchiavello, the marketing manager for Posta, a destination management company in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Daily high temperatures will gradually increase early in the week before falling back to near freezing by the weekend.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
Here are some tips for falling back in love with books.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 Jan. 2026
The 73-year-old former professional boxer and film star was served an eviction notice last month, People reported, after allegedly falling back on his rent to the tune of $59,100.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
In 2023, federal lawmakers introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more springing forward or falling back.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
Grande has previously shared her desire to return to theater after falling back in love with acting through the filming of Wicked.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2026
Be brave, and resist falling back on English Don’t fear being laughed at or scolded for speaking imperfectly, said Massimo Macchiavello, the marketing manager for Posta, a destination management company in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Daily high temperatures will gradually increase early in the week before falling back to near freezing by the weekend.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
Here are some tips for falling back in love with books.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 Jan. 2026
The 73-year-old former professional boxer and film star was served an eviction notice last month, People reported, after allegedly falling back on his rent to the tune of $59,100.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
In 2023, federal lawmakers introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more springing forward or falling back.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling back
Verb
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The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Robotaxi companies are pulling out all the stops to come to NYC.—
Sara Lind,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
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The sofa converts into sleeper mode by pulling out an additional footrest (designed like a drawer) that meets the length of the reversible chaise.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rieder’s odds topped 60% on Polymarket and Kalshi this weekend before dropping back slightly, while the previous front runner Warsh saw his odds fall sharply to around 30%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Conner plays everywhere, from the box to the nickel to dropping back as a free safety.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At least six city councilors, Culpepper, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell, swiftly issued statements or wrote to Wu administration officials expressing concern about backing away from prior commitments made to the majority-Black and brown community.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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Videos show the officers backing away, some with guns drawn.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adam Wainwright played for Team USA in the final year of his career in 2023, and Clayton Kershaw will play for America this year despite retiring after last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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After retiring as an official, Kortz met frequently with friends and fellow sports enthusiasts, including at the McDonald’s restaurant at 105th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falling back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling%20back. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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