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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drop back
The first season’s finale dropped back in spring of 2022 and Erickson told The Hollywood Reporter when returning with season two that world events in the time between, namely the pandemic and shifted return-to-office policies, greatly influenced the new season of the workplace mystery drama.
—
Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Allen dropped back, then stepped forward and tore through the defense, breaking multiple tackles on his way to a 26-yard touchdown run.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
To this, Penner dropped back and hit Andy Reid right between the whiskers.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Brian Flores didn’t have answers, either On the first play of the game, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass and found receiver Puka Nacua over the middle for a gain of 27 yards.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for drop back 
Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Allen dropped back, then stepped forward and tore through the defense, breaking multiple tackles on his way to a 26-yard touchdown run.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
To this, Penner dropped back and hit Andy Reid right between the whiskers.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Brian Flores didn’t have answers, either On the first play of the game, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass and found receiver Puka Nacua over the middle for a gain of 27 yards.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for drop back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back
Verb
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Musk withdrew the suit in June 2024, then revived it in August 2024 under similar complaints.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
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Budget officials withdrew that OMB memo two days later.—
Jake Pearson,
ProPublica,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With their press broken, Newcastle had to retreat to their 5-4-1 shape but became fatigued making so many recovery runs.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
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The initiative follows widespread backlash against major retailers and corporations accused of retreating from DEI commitments after the Trump administration took steps to dismantle federal DEI programs.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Thanks to time zones, Washington and Idaho still spring forward and fall back, but the southern half of Idaho is in the Mountain time zone, while North Idaho is in Pacific time with Washington state.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Feb. 2025
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Instead, a show that wants to purposefully mess around with its own patterns also can’t help but fall back into some unfortunate old grooves.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The guard tried to stop the fare evader, who became irate and pulled out a boxcutter, slashing the guard across the face.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Nevertheless, Kelsea Ballerini pulled out all the stops to recruit the contestant likeliest to win a Kelsea Ballerini Lookalike Contest.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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How to Watch Ohio State at USC: Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 Time: 9:00 PM EST Channel: FOX Stream: Fubo (Try for free) USC suffered its first conference loss last weekend, falling 76-69 to Iowa in the game where the Hawkeyes retired Caitlin Clark's jersey.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
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Under this plan the teachers could retire to comfortable retirements in the Carolinas and Florida while the rest of us try to figure out how to pay our BGE bills.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near drop back
Cite this Entry
“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drop%20back. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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