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
International organizations warn of the risk of falling back into famine if conditions worsen.
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Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
Heading into the final Eras Tour show, the docuseries takes fans back to Swift’s trailer speech about pieces falling back into place.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
But every narrative arc — from Charlie’s simmering loneliness to Alani’s relationship with her parents, to Maya’s temptation to fall back into the orbit of her old boss (Colin Woodell) and Tallulah’s anxiety about taking the next step into fame — was designed to culminate in New York.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
Still a risk of famine While Gaza’s classification has changed, the IPC warned that the risk of the enclave falling back into famine remains.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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While Microsoft is moving forward with some facilities, the company withdrew plans for a data center in Caledonia, Wisconsin, amid loud opposition to its efforts there.—
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The committee ultimately withdrew its subpoena.—
Verb
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Despite being wounded, Sosa-Celis and the other two men retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.—
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Adolfsson and Stefan, who works as a substitute teacher, plan their grocery shopping trips to the mainland carefully, stocking up before retreating indoors.—
Verb
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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.—
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As Packers quarterback Jordan Love dropped back into the end zone, the pass rush from the Bears started closing in.—
Verb
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But that didn’t prevent the brand from pulling out all the stops with its new, larger location on Worth—a two-story white stucco building teeming with stately elegance—that debuted in late October.—
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Some sponsors are still participating despite others having pulled out due to the lack of ice for demonstrations.—
Verb
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Instead, the program will change where the sales tax dollars go — redirecting dollars that would have otherwise been added to the state’s general fund to pay for highways, schools and other services to pay off the project’s debt and retire the bonds.—
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Trent is a high school administrator, while Cheryl, now retired, spent her career as a juvenile probation officer, per Yahoo!—
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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