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
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McMahon did not publicly weigh in during UF’s previous presidential search, which collapsed after Ono withdrew amid conservative backlash over his support for DEI programs and other policies while president of the University of Michigan.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026 -
The winner of the general election will replace incumbent Ada County Treasurer Elizabeth Mahn, who withdrew from the race after registering in March.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
20 May 2026
Verb
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In fact, the company had filed papers twice before but then retreated from the idea as different private equity investors came forward to further fund the company.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
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The crossover funds retreated when the market corrected.—
Harlem Capital,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Still, dozens of drivers crept around the lot, hoping to pounce if someone pulled out.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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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 23 May. 2026.
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