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
Temperatures should reach around 73 degrees on Friday, fall back to the low- to mid-60s by Saturday, and reach around 65 degrees by Sunday.
—
Vytas Reid, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Knowing when to jump into the conversation at the right time, and knowing when to fall back.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The Citi team, led by Max Layton and Francisco Martoccia, would then see Brent crude prices averaging around $110 this quarter before falling back to $80 in the fourth quarter.
—Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Despite the explosive growth of cheese culture in America over the last two generations, most of us fall back on predictable templates of cheese and wine.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Vytas Reid, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Knowing when to jump into the conversation at the right time, and knowing when to fall back.
—Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The Citi team, led by Max Layton and Francisco Martoccia, would then see Brent crude prices averaging around $110 this quarter before falling back to $80 in the fourth quarter.
—Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Despite the explosive growth of cheese culture in America over the last two generations, most of us fall back on predictable templates of cheese and wine.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Coe reportedly was hospitalized several years ago with Covid-19 and had mostly retreated from public appearances since then, though it is not known whether Covid played a part in his passing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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Or, retreat to peaceful Bluffside Gardens with ultramodern cabins that offer direct trail access.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Brent crude oil futures drop back down to $65 to $70 per barrel, Conde said, prices at the pump could also lessen.—
Hali Smith
April 24,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
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The rain will be widespread on Saturday as high temperatures drop back down into the 50s.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said firefighters pulled out a man who had burns on his body.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Delta and United Airlines pulled out in 2017 amid a political crisis that forced millions to flee the country.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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