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
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Recent Examples of fall back
As the dust falls back to the surface, the wind carries it into these swirling patterns.
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Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Paul Spies, co-president of the Berlin Museums Association, who spoke to TAN, warned that abrupt reductions may force some institutions to cancel work contracts before their agreed upon terms, arguing that many organizations don’t have reserve budgets to fall back on.
—Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 23 Dec. 2024
When out of possession, Sugawara was urged to close the opposition down quickly instead of falling back into a defensive shape — suggesting Juric is less concerned about building with short passes than winning the ball high up to launch fast transition opportunities.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Washington, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, started the season 8-2 but has fallen back to earth with a thud.
—Christiaan Defranco, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fall back 
Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Paul Spies, co-president of the Berlin Museums Association, who spoke to TAN, warned that abrupt reductions may force some institutions to cancel work contracts before their agreed upon terms, arguing that many organizations don’t have reserve budgets to fall back on.
—Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 23 Dec. 2024
When out of possession, Sugawara was urged to close the opposition down quickly instead of falling back into a defensive shape — suggesting Juric is less concerned about building with short passes than winning the ball high up to launch fast transition opportunities.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Washington, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, started the season 8-2 but has fallen back to earth with a thud.
—Christiaan Defranco, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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Slot quickly found a solution, withdrawing Quansah for Ibrahima Konate, and Liverpool cruised to a 2-0 win.Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
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Combs is expected to return to court on March 17 and will spend the holiday season behind bars after withdrawing his appeal for bail.Nicole Acosta, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As for how Chopra slows down amid his technological endeavors and retreats aplenty these days?Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2024
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Buoyed by additional wins, and with Cornwallis and the British retreating to northern New Jersey for the winter, Washington and his men settled into their winter headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey.John Laycock, Baltimore Sun, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Early in the fourth quarter, Jackson dropped back in the pocket on third down and quickly turned to his left, leading Wallace toward the sideline on an out route 7 yards past the line of scrimmage.Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2024
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This caused the unemployment rate to drop back to 4.05% from 4.22%.Beth Kindig, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Currently, after the fall of Silicon Valley Bank and the ripple effects of the U.S. regional banking crisis, along with high interest rate levels and deteriorating loan quality, some banks are pulling out money lent to small businesses.Lechi (Richard) Zhang, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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As the rebels advanced on Damascus, Tehran abruptly pulled out its Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitary forces, which had been deployed to prop up President Bashar al-Assad.Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Here’s a look back at how the media has changed as longtime hosts retire, new shows are created, and networks are shuffled.Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025
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The next month, Arians retired abruptly, turning the team over to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.Mike Jones, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fall back
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
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