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
Relevance
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
Davis punched him once; Flores fell back and hit his head.
—
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The first tree fell back there and hit the tree here, which hit another tree, and so there's a domino effect.
—David Chiu, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
His rating then fell back down to 45% in December 2017 — during the first year of Trump’s administration.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
By the numbers: Prices paid for steel and aluminum could rise as much as 20% in the months after tariffs are implemented, before falling back some, according to research firm Pantheon Macroeconomics.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The first tree fell back there and hit the tree here, which hit another tree, and so there's a domino effect.
—David Chiu, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
His rating then fell back down to 45% in December 2017 — during the first year of Trump’s administration.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
By the numbers: Prices paid for steel and aluminum could rise as much as 20% in the months after tariffs are implemented, before falling back some, according to research firm Pantheon Macroeconomics.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
-
At the 2001 event Venus withdrew with a knee injury,.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The survey also found that while more than half of Russians said the war had a mostly negative effect on their daily lives, compared to five months ago, fewer people supported Putin withdrawing troops without achieving the war's goals.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Crypto stocks — Stocks linked to the price of bitcoin fell after the cryptocurrency retreated around 3% to hover around the $80,000 level.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
-
From rollbacks on reproductive rights in the U.S. to the dismantling of environmental protections and the amplification of xenophobia, governments are retreating from their responsibilities to protect vulnerable communities and future generations.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At times, James also looked confused as to whether to push ahead or drop back and protect his defence, which contributed to Villa’s midfield dictating proceedings.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Daniels dropped back to pass and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusty tight end, whose second touchdown of the night was the game-winner.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Speculation about when the season would move ahead has been rife since Sky Deutschland pulled out of original content in July 2023.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
-
His one worry is pulling out the celebration and then losing the game.—
Marcus Thompson II,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Mining engineering programs have been closing in both Europe and North America, and the generation of senior mining executives who helped build mines globally during the commodities boom is retiring.—
Anthony Milewski,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
There is now a four-to-three liberal majority on the court, but Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a liberal who has sat on the court since 1995, is retiring, putting the court’s majority on the ballot.—
Theodore Schleifer,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share