as in withdrawal
an act of moving away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
the pullback was necessary so that the commanders could reorganize their units and reassess the situation
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Recent Examples of pullback
Children and families torn apart The partial pullback comes as children and families across Minnesota continue to be held in immigration detention, amid growing scrutiny of how arrests involving minors are carried out.
—
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
But nothing can keep rising at such extreme rates forever, and critics had been calling for a pullback.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
But critics said their prices rose too far, too fast and were due for a pullback.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Stephen Gruber-Miller Speaking to Fox News host Will Cain, President Donald Trump denied that his shakeup of staff overseeing immigration enforcement in Minneapolis was a pullback.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pullback
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
But nothing can keep rising at such extreme rates forever, and critics had been calling for a pullback.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
But critics said their prices rose too far, too fast and were due for a pullback.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Stephen Gruber-Miller Speaking to Fox News host Will Cain, President Donald Trump denied that his shakeup of staff overseeing immigration enforcement in Minneapolis was a pullback.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pullback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pullback
Noun
-
The last-minute entry caps a chaotic week of candidate withdrawals, with Bass facing mounting criticism over the city’s Palisades fire response.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
It’s been very sobering for people who’ve devoted their lives to these issues to suddenly see this withdrawal of global support.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rooms feel like a cozy meditative retreat precisely because the communal spaces pulse with vibrant NYC energy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Schoen, owner of the Paradise River Bend wedding venue and vacation rental property, often visits what was once a pristine retreat across the road from his cabins, surrounded by trees and nestled along the usually tranquil Guadalupe River.—
Abrielle Kate Maddison,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pullback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pullback. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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