DROP BACK Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

drop back

verb

Definition of drop back

as in to withdraw

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 drop back The forecast dries out through the evening as temperatures drop back into the lower 70s. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026 The loss snapped Miami’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play and was the team’s third loss in a row after dropping back-to-back games in the Leagues Cup tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 The Chiefs dropped back to throw 32 times on third downs in the red zone last season, nearly two per game. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drop back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back

Verb

When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

The technology was also tested against deceptive behaviour, an in a different scenario, fishing boats appeared to retreat while vessels from another direction accelerated toward the coastguard ship.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The player reported that the man had opened a knife and moved toward him before retreating into his room.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

The high-pressure oppression will temporarily come to an end thanks to an influx of moisture that will help temperatures fall back to average, if not below, for the final days of August and the start of September.

— Tevian Whitehurst, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Temperatures will remain very hot on Wednesday, but northern areas may begin seeing highs fall back into the upper 90s, while locations farther south remain in the triple digits.

— Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall back

Verb

Chelsea and Everton were left stunned after Monaco called off the sale of Lamine Camara to the former English club, only for his team-mate and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun to pull out of a move to the latter.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Piacenti, 32, was stabbed in the abdomen after police say suspect Pamela Cisneros pulled out a pair of knives and attacked Piacenti and a 68-year-old man, according to NYPD Commissioner ⁠Jessica Tisch.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pull out

Verb

The sellers, who are retiring, bought the retail space from The Arlington’s original developers back in 2007, Walker said.

— Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
The man who caught him, Pete Willis (De Niro), has been retired from public service for almost as long, even if there are still a few loose ends that haunt him.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026