as in withdrew
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back
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Recent Examples of dropped back
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
—
Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
When the Nissan dropped back, Mulligan signalled once more.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Daily use has dropped back down since the holiday frenzy, according to online news reports.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 25 Mar. 2026
Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
With Detroit’s win over Calgary, the B’s dropped back to the second wild-card spot.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors just dropped back-to-back games to the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
When the Nissan dropped back, Mulligan signalled once more.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Daily use has dropped back down since the holiday frenzy, according to online news reports.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 25 Mar. 2026
Waits’ last album, Bad as Me, dropped back in 2011 — the same year he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
With Detroit’s win over Calgary, the B’s dropped back to the second wild-card spot.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors just dropped back-to-back games to the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
In 2000, the UNIFIL established a de-facto area along the southern Lebanese border with Israel, after Israeli forces withdrew following their second invasion.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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An earlier court petition was dismissed in 2015 after the ex-wife withdrew it.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But precisely as its students triumphed, Achievement First retreated from its founding commitments.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, retreated on the news, falling to around $104 a barrel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Murphy sorted through a few papers and pulled out a white sheet featuring a grid with boxes highlighted green, yellow or red.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The man then allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired at officers, the highway patrol said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vaughn Sharp hit an RBI double in the third for the Mustangs but Sharp was left stranded on third when Blaine retired the next two batters.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
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She has essentially been retired as an artist in recent years, releasing only a few collaborative singles since her last full album in 2016.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.—
Haley Busch,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Georgia General Assembly tried to face the issue this year but backed away at the last minute from a bill that almost passed.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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