as in withdraws
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 falls back
That water then freezes in the atmosphere and falls back down as snow.
—
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
When fired for real in the film, the first intercepting missile malfunctions and falls back to earth.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Longs should use that as their downside protection level, if GM falls back into the gap things get murky.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
By waiving Achiuwa before the start of the regular season, the Heat falls back under the luxury tax threshold.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Even if Showgirl falls back tonight and comes out in the high $20Ms (no one is expecting that number), so what?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Over millions of years, the gas that was pushed out falls back in, and the warm gas cools again.
—Shreejaya Karantha, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But, the star falls back down again, so the kids explore new ways to get the star back to his parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
When fired for real in the film, the first intercepting missile malfunctions and falls back to earth.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Longs should use that as their downside protection level, if GM falls back into the gap things get murky.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
By waiving Achiuwa before the start of the regular season, the Heat falls back under the luxury tax threshold.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Even if Showgirl falls back tonight and comes out in the high $20Ms (no one is expecting that number), so what?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Over millions of years, the gas that was pushed out falls back in, and the warm gas cools again.
—Shreejaya Karantha, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But, the star falls back down again, so the kids explore new ways to get the star back to his parents.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falls back
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS DEAL BREAKER – Government shutdown looms as key negotiator withdraws support for funding package.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The law is implemented across a number of scenarios, including if the President dies or resigns while in office under Section 1 or the President themselves withdraws from the position, which can be temporarily, under Section 3.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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Written by Shlesinger and directed by Josephine Decker, the comedian stars as fortysomething aid worker Jamie, who, after getting abruptly and publicly dumped, retreats back to her hometown to spend a few months with her parents (Megan Mullally and Jeff Perry) until her next relief mission.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the dollar bill pulls out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
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The cover itself lifts up into wedge form with the help of struts, and the tent fabric with integrated poles then pulls out and up, standing in place atop the open tailgate.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
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.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dunleavy, now the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, is trying to figure out a way to acquire Antetokounmpo, now in his 13th NBA season, and pair him with superstar Stephen Curry for one more push at an NBA championship before Curry retires.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Golden State’s future picks could be extra attractive to Milwaukee if the Bucks expect the Warriors to fall off when Curry, who turns 38 in March, eventually retires.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falls back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falls%20back. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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