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
Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.
—
Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The price later dropped back down.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 10 May 2026
The price later dropped back down.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
-
McMahon did not publicly weigh in during UF’s previous presidential search, which collapsed after Ono withdrew amid conservative backlash over his support for DEI programs and other policies while president of the University of Michigan.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
-
The winner of the general election will replace incumbent Ada County Treasurer Elizabeth Mahn, who withdrew from the race after registering in March.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
20 May 2026
Verb
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In fact, the company had filed papers twice before but then retreated from the idea as different private equity investors came forward to further fund the company.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
The crossover funds retreated when the market corrected.—
Harlem Capital,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, dozens of drivers crept around the lot, hoping to pounce if someone pulled out.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Last year, the Justice Department pulled out of a Section 2 lawsuit over the voting map for the county's board of commissioners, whose members are all white.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Globally, 60% of outgoing CFOs retired or moved to the board in Q1, up from 56% the same time last year and well above the seven-year Q1 average of 39%.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
After several hours of station-keeping, Gemini 6—commanded by Wally Schirra, alongside rookie astronaut Tom Stafford—backed away, and began easing down to a lower orbit, preparing to reenter.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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