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
Every day since then, the ball raises halfway up the mast at 12:55 p.m., reaches the top at 12:58 p.m. and falls back down exactly at 1:00 p.m., delighting visitors even today.
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Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Last Thursday, Bitcoin tumbled 3.6%, falling back below $100,000, on the news that the Federal Reserve will approve fewer interest rate cuts than the market expected next year.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
If the front-office plan is to fall back on what’s comfortable, play things safe and fill out the edges, there’s a risk that comes with it, especially when other teams actively get better.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
After reaching this low, rates started to creep back up, peaking at 6.79 percent in early November before falling back down.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fall back 
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Last Thursday, Bitcoin tumbled 3.6%, falling back below $100,000, on the news that the Federal Reserve will approve fewer interest rate cuts than the market expected next year.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
If the front-office plan is to fall back on what’s comfortable, play things safe and fill out the edges, there’s a risk that comes with it, especially when other teams actively get better.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
After reaching this low, rates started to creep back up, peaking at 6.79 percent in early November before falling back down.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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This decision resulted in approximately 625 million acres of federal waters being withdrawn from energy exploration, which may require an act of Congress to reverse.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Before Christmas Deadline reported that the Eugene Jarecki directed documentary The Six Billion Dollar Man about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange withdrew from the festival two weeks after Sundance unveiled its 2025 lineup.Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Another set of images capture the charred aftermath of houses that burned along the Pacific Coast Highway, and the remains of Malibu homes where the Palisades fire had retreated.Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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The federal police eventually retreated without arresting the impeached president.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Los Angeles Rams defense appeared to be content to drop back in coverage and prevent San Francisco’s Brock Purdy from completing a Hail Mary on the final play of their Thursday night game on Dec. 12.Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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In the first quarter that day, Darnold dropped back and attempted a slant to Jefferson.Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Around that same time, Reigns pulled out of WrestleMania 36 due to his concerns about exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.Katie Mannion, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
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The Johnson Administration pulled out all the stops to fire the CPS CEO, yet the CTA President is protected from critique.Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
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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In March 2016, Avicii hit a breaking point — and decided to retire from touring to focus on creating music and repairing his health.Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 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 18 Jan. 2025.
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