as in withdrew
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell back
Verb
-
In the face of growing opposition generated in part by allegations of his misconduct, Gaetz withdrew.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026 -
In the south, Lebanese Army tanks withdrew as Israeli ones rolled in.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Neither side has retreated from their maximalist claims, signaling that talks could be protracted.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Dion had retreated from performing after revealing she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological and autoimmune disorder that affects mobility and vocal ability.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2001, the couple, who did not have children, retired to Miami in search of warmer beaches.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The vast majority of Fuller voters were white, older and retired, and were not spending much of their time driving in their day-to-day lives.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
At one point, Mallach pulled out a pen and made two drawings on a napkin.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Porter pulled out prior to interviewing with Johnson and a community panel.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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