DROPPING BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

dropping back

verb

present participle of drop back

as in withdrawing

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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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 dropping back The warm weather will last through the week before dropping back into more seasonable highs in the 50s and 60s over the weekend. —

Kylee Miller, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 Many of Joseph’s current defensive principles — disguising blitzers indistinguishably from players dropping back into coverage — are similar to what Cincinnati did a decade ago, under defensive coordinator Guenther. —

Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026 The Longhorns are the one team in the Final Four that has had a two-game losing streak, dropping back-to-back games to LSU and South Carolina in mid-January. —

David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 Last week, the quarterback shared a video of himself dropping back to throw on his official Instagram account. —

Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 Brent crude oil prices on Thursday briefly topped $119 per barrel before dropping back down. —

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2026 Tree pollen in Austin is forecast to be very high on Wednesday, then climb to extreme levels Thursday through Saturday, before dropping back to very high on Sunday and Monday. —

Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026 Jefferson Lerma performed reasonably well after dropping back from midfield, is strong in the air and offers experience despite it not being his primary position, but his hamstring injury against Burnley on February 11 meant even fewer options. —

Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Sunday will bring a lot of sunshine, but the temperature will reach only about 17 degrees before dropping back into the single digits Sunday night. —

Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 6 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropping back

Verb

Since 2016, federal officials allege, Meade has been trying to avoid paying the tax obligation through a number of tactics, which include withdrawing large sums of cash and purchasing cashier’s checks from his business accounts.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Legitimate companies do not walk you through withdrawing cash, using crypto ATMs or buying gold to solve a problem.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026