FELL BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

fell back

verb

past tense of fall back

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell back

Verb

In April of this year, global energy company AES withdrew plans to build a large battery storage facility in Eden Valley after residents loudly opposed the project, due to potential fire risk.

— Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
The United States formally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in May 2018, several months after Tahbaz’s arrest.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Exxon shares retreated about 2% in premarket trading on Friday as it’s adjusted per-share profit narrowly missed forecasts.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Out of possession, Benfica looked to man-mark higher up the pitch but retreated into their customary 4-2-3-1 shape as teams got forward, with the wingers moving infield as seen below.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

Despite overcoming early battery recalls to post record sales figures, GM retired the hatchback to retool its factory for electric trucks and sunset its aging battery platform.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
His diagnoses ultimately affected his ability to play music, and Phil retired ahead of his rock band Genesis’ final tour in 2022.

— Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

During the dispute, one of the men pulled out a gun and fired between five and 10 shots before fleeing the store, according to police.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Real Madrid, the last club standing in the effort, formally pulled out this past February.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of pulled out

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fell away

fell back

fell back on

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“Fell back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell%20back. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fell back

verb

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