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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell back
Verb
-
Indeed, Paramount+ withdrew from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland in 2022 to make way for SkyShowtime.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 May 2026 -
After the student protests against him, Schapiro withdrew from giving his speech at Georgetown.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the last four years, carriers have retreated from the state entirely or have paused writing new policies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
In an attempt to spark inspiration for a new Little Death origin story, Kris pays a visit to the present-day Billy, played by a regal, knowing Gillian Anderson, who retreated from public life after that first installment and whom Kris hopes to persuade to appear in her reboot.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 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
-
Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
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
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The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 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
-
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
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Cite this Entry
“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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