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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Antonio Delgado withdraws from New York governor race after Mamdani backs Hochul.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As the Church withdraws its sanction, the exorcists must confront the demonic force alone, pushing their faith to its limits as the entity threatens global annihilation.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Later in the film, as Cristian’s father disappears for long stretches of time seeking temporary work, Cristian pulls out a child-sized onesie from the closet in Olga’s guest room; her face collapses, her reaction indicating some palpable trauma the filmmaker doesn’t deign to overexplain.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
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If the dollar bill pulls out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dunleavy, now the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, is trying to figure out a way to acquire Antetokounmpo, now in his 13th NBA season, and pair him with superstar Stephen Curry for one more push at an NBA championship before Curry retires.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Golden State’s future picks could be extra attractive to Milwaukee if the Bucks expect the Warriors to fall off when Curry, who turns 38 in March, eventually retires.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falls back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falls%20back. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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