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
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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
-
The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
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Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mira pulled out a fifties-style blue frock.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Dollars are pulled out of local communities instead of being reinvested into the grid and the people who depend on it.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 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 10 May. 2026.
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