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
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to throw on 4th-and-short, but the Texans covered his primary target out of the backfield.
—
Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The cryptocurrency rose above $96,000 late last week but has dropped back to around $89,700.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Facing third-and-goal with just under three minutes remaining, Purdy dropped back, went through his first two progressions, stepped forward in the pocket and finally found McCaffrey streaking into the end zone ahead of linebacker Nakobe Dean.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Orange quarterback Rickie Collins dropped back and threw a deep pass intended for receiver Darius Johnson.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier dropped back to pass only to find Rodriguez in coverage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter, on Carolina’s third offensive sack, Dalton dropped back, got pressure, couldn’t escape and fumbled again.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
The cryptocurrency rose above $96,000 late last week but has dropped back to around $89,700.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Facing third-and-goal with just under three minutes remaining, Purdy dropped back, went through his first two progressions, stepped forward in the pocket and finally found McCaffrey streaking into the end zone ahead of linebacker Nakobe Dean.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Orange quarterback Rickie Collins dropped back and threw a deep pass intended for receiver Darius Johnson.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier dropped back to pass only to find Rodriguez in coverage.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
In the third quarter, on Carolina’s third offensive sack, Dalton dropped back, got pressure, couldn’t escape and fumbled again.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back
Verb
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China has invested little in Russia’s economy, and nowhere near the amount that the West withdrew after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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After the candidates’ names were leaked to WBEZ/Sun-Times and Chalkbeat, the process effectively ground to a halt and one of them withdrew his name.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis retreated into their upstairs apartment and barricaded the door, so federal officers used tear gas to try to force the men out, the FBI agent said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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An impartial onlooker could even reasonably conclude that Trevor took one glance at his opposition and retreated to the safety of a forward-facing position.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Guthrie pulled out of covering the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina for NBC, with the opening ceremony commentators acknowledging her absence on Friday.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
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People have tried using machines, but the cold turns oil to sludge, and when machines fall through ice, they can’t be pulled out.—
Ken Harbaugh,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Presburger, who retired last Friday after 35 years of teaching at El Camino Real High, brought about 15,000 pins to Italy for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, requiring three hefty suitcases.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Kovach's appointment as the city's new fire chief comes following the retirement of former chief Jeffrey Tomovcsik, who served as a McKeesport firefighter for more than 20 years and retired late last year.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Firefighters arrived several minutes after the blaze began, but backed away after a few protesters blocked their truck from reaching the loading dock.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
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In some cases, extra vigilance means that faculty have backed away from initial commitments.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dropped back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20back. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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