FELL BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

fell back

verb

past tense of fall back

as in withdrew

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 Synonyms for fell back

Verb

The Mustangs were expected to play in the Prep Bowl playoffs, but the school’s administration withdrew after the coaching change.

— Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Scalise defeated Jordan in an internal vote for the speakership after Kevin McCarthy was removed, although Scalise subsequently withdrew before a House floor vote.

— Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Misty seems vaguely inspired by the enduring mystique of Bobbie Gentry, the prodigious Nashville singer-songwriter who, after a few years at the top, retired from music and checked out of the public eye entirely.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
Owen abruptly retired in 2024, not long after he was honored as state law enforcement officer of the year.

— Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

On third-and-goal from the Utah 2-yard line, Bachmeier dropped back to pass and tried to throw a slant, but linebacker Trey Reynolds jumped the route and intercepted the ball, ending the scoring threat.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Georgia won six of its first seven SEC matches but has dropped back-to-back matches to Texas A&M and Missouri.

— Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped back

Verb

As holiday season approaches, the TIME team has pulled out a selection of the 10 best outdoors items from the list that would make a perfect gift for the explorers and adventurers in your life.

— TIME Staff, Time, 10 Nov. 2026
Somebody pulled out a glazier's knife and, with a soft screeee-pop, cut a wobbly circle out of the correct window.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of pulled out

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Browse Nearby Words

fell away

fell back

fell back on

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“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of fell back

verb

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