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
-
The streaming giant’s stock price doesn’t yet reflect it, but analysts’ uniformly positive reaction is perhaps the biggest vote of confidence by the Street since Netflix last month withdrew its proposal to acquire Warner Bros.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026 -
The wars in Iran and Ukraine will be top of the agenda, while South Africa, which was supposed to attend as an observing nation, says France withdrew its G7 invitation after the US threatened to boycott.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But as senators retreated to privately discuss the new plan, action stalled out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices have retreated, but there are no signs of a broader relief rally this morning.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus Yosh Nijman, Ekwonu’s backup and the Panthers’ swing tackle, suddenly retired earlier this month — flinging the Panthers’ offensive line plan into even narrower straits.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
County records show communication between most of these employees, some now retired, concerning the Esparto fireworks site.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, Mallach pulled out a pen and made two drawings on a napkin.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Porter pulled out prior to interviewing with Johnson and a community panel.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
