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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 falls back
The trajectory The mission is on a flight path that keeps the spacecraft in Earth's gravitational influence past the moon, then falls back to the planet for splashdown.
—
Brendan Byrne, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Really, even if tracking is massively off, and Project Hail Mary falls back to a $50M opening in North America, va bene.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
This means people will lose an hour of sleep, but daylight hours also will increase in Indiana until the clock falls back again in early November.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 7 Mar. 2026
In the process of watering the seed in, some of the loose soil dredged up by the disks falls back into the slits, covering the seed.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
The top-three picks have been determined, and the task falls back to the readers to decide which will take the title in each of 50 categories, from burgers and wings to driveworthy things.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
That water then freezes in the atmosphere and falls back down as snow.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
When fired for real in the film, the first intercepting missile malfunctions and falls back to earth.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Longs should use that as their downside protection level, if GM falls back into the gap things get murky.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Brendan Byrne, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Really, even if tracking is massively off, and Project Hail Mary falls back to a $50M opening in North America, va bene.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
This means people will lose an hour of sleep, but daylight hours also will increase in Indiana until the clock falls back again in early November.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 7 Mar. 2026
In the process of watering the seed in, some of the loose soil dredged up by the disks falls back into the slits, covering the seed.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
The top-three picks have been determined, and the task falls back to the readers to decide which will take the title in each of 50 categories, from burgers and wings to driveworthy things.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
That water then freezes in the atmosphere and falls back down as snow.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
When fired for real in the film, the first intercepting missile malfunctions and falls back to earth.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Longs should use that as their downside protection level, if GM falls back into the gap things get murky.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falls back
Verb
-
For example, if a Medicare Advantage plan withdraws from a market or leaves the Medicare program, its enrollees can qualify for a supplemental plan without being asked health questions or charged more for having preexisting conditions.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
University officials deactivated the group the same day they were notified, citing campus policies that allow suspension of student organizations when a parent or governing body withdraws recognition or when groups violate state law.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Garcia retreats, the video shows.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her psychiatrist, having attempted to convince her through facts and comparisons, pulls out a book of poems and reads the end of one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The discovery comes too late as Thompson pulls out his gun and fires three times into Vance's chest before being shot dead by arriving agents Parker and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the opposing quarterback drops back to pass, Downs can be effective, as well.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Too flat and your head drops back; too thick and your chin juts forward.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Especially if Stafford is injured this season or retires in the next year or two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
If Rodgers takes the off ramp on playing and retires in the next couple of days, the Steelers might want a player such as Simpson as a possible addition to their quarterback room.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falls back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falls%20back. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
