FALLEN BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

fallen back

verb

past participle of fall back

as in withdrawn

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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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 fallen back And after a hot start, quarterback Bo Nix has fallen back into inconsistency, with even fewer windows available in Wednesday’s team periods given the absences of his two top receivers in Waddle and Sutton. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 To all these worries, add the bullpen, which has fallen back to earth after its club-record 38-inning scoreless streak. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Spending on consumer fireworks nearly doubled between 2019 and 2020, according to APA figures, and hasn’t fallen back to pre-Covid levels since. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Now the Panthers have been boosted up into a tie for second (with the Colorado Avalanche) behind only the Hurricanes, and the Senators have fallen back to 22 to 1, closer to the middle of the pack. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 23 June 2026 With the Iran war seemingly drawing to a close, oil prices have fallen back to near prewar levels and brought with them the promise of cheaper gas and cooling consumer prices. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 23 June 2026 The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 By the time the survivors reached the Great Plains, the Acme and Itala had fallen back, but the Shawmut and two Fords continued to trade leads. — Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 The position has now fallen back below the 50-day moving average. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallen back

Verb

Forces were also sent to Los Angeles and Chicago, though those missions became tied up in legal challenges and troops were eventually withdrawn.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The couple, who married in 2017 and have four children, were due to be seen before a judge in an Arkansas court on Monday but skipped the hearing after their not guilty pleas were withdrawn and a plea by order to the court was submitted.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawn

Verb

The 62-year-old Guillén, a colorful analyst on White Sox telecasts, became the 13th individual and first former manager to have his number retired by the team.

— CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Always free-spirited, Nelson happily retired to his home in Maui and made only occasional visits back to the mainland.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

After July’s momentum wreck, bullish market sentiment retreated from extreme levels, setting the table for last week’s upturn.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
The off-duty trooper exchanged fire through the window with the gunman, who briefly retreated and returned again, firing and hitting another victim who was trying to help and render aid.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

Patrick Mahomes took a snap Monday and dropped back before looking left.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Haynes took the shotgun snap at the 10 and dropped back to the 14 before shooting up the middle, pump faking around the seven and diving into the end zone for the game-winning score.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of dropped back

Verb

As the driver continued, Boyd reportedly pulled out a gun from his waistband and fired five rounds at the truck, including one that struck the tow truck.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Authorities said that after initially fleeing, Ruiz pulled out a knife during a struggle with officers and injured one of them.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

fallen away

fallen back

fallen back on

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“Fallen back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallen%20back. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fallen back

verb

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