fall back

verb

Definition of fall backnext
as in to withdraw
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

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 fall back But now that the war has entered its eighth month, with no end in sight and gas prices surging again, consumers don’t have that cushion to fall back on. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 When that information gets exposed, the burden of watching for fraud suddenly falls back on us. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The school falls back on procedure to keep a lid on things, and a school violence review committee wraps up without a firm finding. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 And after falling back slightly this week, bond yields are on the rise again. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. drop back
  4. pull out
  5. retire
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
  • Heavner dropped back before finding a hole up the middle for a 27-yard TD run before the Chippewas again took the lead 24-21 on Jadyn Glasser's 9-yard TD pass to Langston Lewis in the third quarter's final minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Crimson Tide are 5-2 for the season, dropping back-to-back games against Georgia and Tennessee.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop back
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
Definition of pull out
Verb
  • Jones retired from the band in 2023 after announcing a battle with Parkinson’s.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Victor Romero, 62, retired from the NYPD 25 years ago, police said.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

fall away
fall back
fall back on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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