DROPS BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

drops back

verb

present tense third-person singular of drop back

as in withdraws

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of drops back After the front, the humidity drops back off the scale, meaning that Thursday and Friday will be very comfy and dry. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 18 May 2026 If the opposing quarterback drops back to pass, Downs can be effective, as well. — Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 Too flat and your head drops back; too thick and your chin juts forward. — Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026 If your head drops back or your chin pushes forward, the pillow height is wrong. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. — Lillian Rizzo,ryan Ruggiero, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 Temperatures are likely to remain warm during the day, though forecasts show possible snow showers early Thursday night as the low drops back below freezing to the upper 20s. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026 The 54-year-old comedian with a beard full of gray stubble drops back to pass, launching a tight spiral underneath SoFi’s massive technicolor halo scoreboard hovering above a sea of empty stands. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 The pump should turn off after the water level drops back down. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drops back

Verb

If a friend withdraws, reach out softly and offer clear help without pressure.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
If Miller withdraws by Wednesday, Republicans can hold a special election to replace him on the ballot.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraws

Verb

As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The gunman briefly retreats, then returns to the window and fires inside the restaurant again, injuring a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trooper and render aid to Garibay.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreats

Verb

More dashboards or agents do not fix a process that falls back to email, meetings and spreadsheets when an exception occurs.

— Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
If by some chance a hurricane wipes out several theaters and Brand New Day falls back to $280M — c’mon, that’s an awesome opening, and $20M ahead of No Way Home‘s start.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 31 July 2026

Definition of falls back

Verb

It is headed straight toward another SUV, driven by a medic for CHOP security, who immediately throws it in reverse and backs away to avoid the white Jeep, which is coming at it head on.

— Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
As the boy backs away, the family's husky mix, Bella, is seen running over from across the yard and chasing the bear away, circling behind the animal and placing itself in between the bear and the boy.

— Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of backs away

Verb

The first component of the payments, known as the normal cost, is the calculation of how much the public agency and employees must contribute to ensure there are sufficient funds after investment returns to pay pensions when a worker retires.

— Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
The kind that walks out the door when somebody retires or leaves and is extraordinarily slow and expensive to rebuild, if it can be rebuilt at all.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026