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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell back
Verb
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China has invested little in Russia’s economy, and nowhere near the amount that the West withdrew after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026 -
After the candidates’ names were leaked to WBEZ/Sun-Times and Chalkbeat, the process effectively ground to a halt and one of them withdrew his name.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Aljorna and Sosa-Celis retreated into their upstairs apartment and barricaded the door, so federal officers used tear gas to try to force the men out, the FBI agent said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
An impartial onlooker could even reasonably conclude that Trevor took one glance at his opposition and retreated to the safety of a forward-facing position.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Although we are retired, our lives revolve around her needs.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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But Liu, who retired from the sport and then came back on her own terms, doesn’t care about a win.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On third down, Maye dropped back to pass, felt pressure and scrambled up the middle for 16 yards.—
February 9,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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Late in the third quarter, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dropped back to pass, looking for answers.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At which time someone in a Manhattan athletics department office pulled out their magnifying class and Tang’s contract, finding a way to get rid of the coach and not pay him.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The administration has quietly pulled out National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, The Washington Post reported.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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