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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Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025 -
In January 2023, Imavov was booked to face Kelvin Gastelum, but that fight fell apart when Gastelum withdrew.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gerson believes the gangs have retreated.—
Johnny Fils-Aimé,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Runner-up Sabalenka, meanwhile, retreated to another area, smashed her racket until the frame buckled and sat with her back against the wall, next to the scratch marks left on the floor.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By that time, Hartman had retired from the movie industry.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Sep. 2025
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But reliever Juan Mejia retired the next three hitters — a Laureano strikeout sandwiched between flyouts from Sheets and Merrill — to squash the first semblance of a rally.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tagovailoa’s third turnover occurred on Miami’s first drive of the second half when a short pass over the middle of the field was intercepted by Colts defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, who dropped back into coverage on Miami’s offense while a three Colts rushers came after Tagovailoa.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Borralho dropped back to 185 pounds for his UFC debut in April 2011.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jungwirth pulled out a gun, jumped over the counter and pointed the gun at the 38-year-old clerk.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
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Tanjiro Kamado and the other slayers are plummeting down endless stories after the ground was quite literally pulled out from under them in a cliffhanger at the end of season four.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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