DROP BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

drop back

verb

Definition of drop back

as in to withdraw

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of drop back Dyerville Loop Road begins along the Eel River in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then rises into the foothills of Humboldt County, California before dropping back down to the river near Fort Seward. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The Falcons remains winless at home this season and has now dropped back-to-back games for the second time this year. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 As Goff dropped back to pass, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta gave Umanmielen a hard chip block. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026 On second-and-8 from the CU 15, wideout Joseph Williams dropped back to pass and launched a wounded duck up the right boundary. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drop back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back

Verb

On Monday, Chinese manufacturer Kepuni Holdings withdrew plans for a Nasdaq listing that had been expected to raise $15 million.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Longtime collaborator Erik Blood foregrounds Butler’s dry drum machines in the mix, letting every other element shuffle around them, snaking toward the spotlight for a brief moment and retreating back into the brume.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
If broadcaster partnerships are helping Netflix expand its offering in Europe and Latin America, India shows why the streamer is unlikely to retreat from investing in local originals.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

This gives the Edge its main advantage over the Air, as pulling out your phone to check your heart rate or other stats during a workout can be a pain.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
But, after spending months touting the benefits that Warner assets would bring, Netflix abruptly pulled out of the auction in late February when Paramount’s Ellison upped his company’s offer.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026