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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell back
Verb
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Days after four Republican candidates withdrew from the upcoming Platte County election and launched independent campaigns, the county’s Republican committee announced plans to censure those candidates and deem them unwelcome within the party.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026 -
Polling from March shows Becerra with just 3% of the vote, indicating a 7-point increase for Becerra between then and Emerson’s most recent survey, conducted right after Swalwell withdrew.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Frank Sinatra entertained at his Twin Palms estate; Marilyn Monroe retreated here between films, and Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in an A-frame hideaway steps from downtown.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
After 20 minutes or so, the protesters retreated.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Once through that second, Adam Bushley retired nine of his last 10 batters and reached a season-high 92 pitches.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
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Ragans retired six of his next eight batters.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
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The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Martin Short pulled out from a handful of professional commitments in light of his daughter’s death.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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When the moment finally came, Chelsea pulled out her phone to capture everyone's reactions on camera.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
11 May 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 12 May. 2026.
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