as in withdraws
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 drops back
If the opposing quarterback drops back to pass, Downs can be effective, as well.
—
Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Too flat and your head drops back; too thick and your chin juts forward.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
If your head drops back or your chin pushes forward, the pillow height is wrong.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
—Lillian Rizzo,ryan Ruggiero, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Temperatures are likely to remain warm during the day, though forecasts show possible snow showers early Thursday night as the low drops back below freezing to the upper 20s.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The 54-year-old comedian with a beard full of gray stubble drops back to pass, launching a tight spiral underneath SoFi’s massive technicolor halo scoreboard hovering above a sea of empty stands.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Too flat and your head drops back; too thick and your chin juts forward.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
If your head drops back or your chin pushes forward, the pillow height is wrong.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
—Lillian Rizzo,ryan Ruggiero, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Temperatures are likely to remain warm during the day, though forecasts show possible snow showers early Thursday night as the low drops back below freezing to the upper 20s.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The 54-year-old comedian with a beard full of gray stubble drops back to pass, launching a tight spiral underneath SoFi’s massive technicolor halo scoreboard hovering above a sea of empty stands.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drops back
Verb
-
For example, if a Medicare Advantage plan withdraws from a market or leaves the Medicare program, its enrollees can qualify for a supplemental plan without being asked health questions or charged more for having preexisting conditions.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
University officials deactivated the group the same day they were notified, citing campus policies that allow suspension of student organizations when a parent or governing body withdraws recognition or when groups violate state law.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Garcia retreats, the video shows.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The trajectory The mission is on a flight path that keeps the spacecraft in Earth's gravitational influence past the moon, then falls back to the planet for splashdown.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
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Really, even if tracking is massively off, and Project Hail Mary falls back to a $50M opening in North America, va bene.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jones then slows down to a walk as Prignano backs away.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
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In instances when an agent approaches, a patroller typically backs away while recording the interaction, video footage posted to Union del Barrio’s YouTube page shows.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Especially if Stafford is injured this season or retires in the next year or two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
If Rodgers takes the off ramp on playing and retires in the next couple of days, the Steelers might want a player such as Simpson as a possible addition to their quarterback room.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drops back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drops%20back. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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