as in withdraws
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 falls back
By waiving Achiuwa before the start of the regular season, the Heat falls back under the luxury tax threshold.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Even if Showgirl falls back tonight and comes out in the high $20Ms (no one is expecting that number), so what?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Visiting cargo spacecraft — historically Russia's Progress spacecraft — typically push the ISS higher from the Earth's orbit periodically, when the facility naturally falls back to the planet.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Over millions of years, the gas that was pushed out falls back in, and the warm gas cools again.
—Shreejaya Karantha, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But, the star falls back down again, so the kids explore new ways to get the star back to his parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Even if Showgirl falls back tonight and comes out in the high $20Ms (no one is expecting that number), so what?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Visiting cargo spacecraft — historically Russia's Progress spacecraft — typically push the ISS higher from the Earth's orbit periodically, when the facility naturally falls back to the planet.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Over millions of years, the gas that was pushed out falls back in, and the warm gas cools again.
—Shreejaya Karantha, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But, the star falls back down again, so the kids explore new ways to get the star back to his parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falls back
Verb
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The surgeon withdraws the balloon and then squeezes the implant in through a sterile funnel before closing the incision.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
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An International Stabilization Force (ISF) is set to be deployed in Gaza once Israel withdraws, but key participating countries are already asking for clarity.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On this occasion, Joao Pedro retreats into midfield dragging his marker, Forest centre-back Morato, out of position to track him.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Wilks retreats to the front of his vehicle before briefly emerging and the officer then lets off a second round of gunfire.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Personally, the scene where Mansu pulls out his tooth felt less like resignation and more like a strange liberation.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
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As the deputies’ vehicles pull up, Mull pulls out the handgun with his right hand.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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With Leverkusen’s front players focused on stopping progression into Gravenberch, Jones drops back to receive from Alexander-Arnold.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The day will one day come when Mahomes retires from the NFL, although that won’t be anytime soon.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
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O’Brien officially retires as artistic director.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falls back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falls%20back. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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