DROPPED BACK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

dropped back

verb

past tense of drop back

as in withdrew

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 dropped back Gall and Roglič, with the help of teammates who dropped back from the remnants of the breakaway, limited their losses to 27 seconds to Mas. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Taylor dropped back three steps and arced a jump ball into the corner over Barron and into the mitts of Sheppard, who appeared to scrape both toes along the turf before the Broncos’ stopper shoved him out of bounds. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026 The Twins came into the series tied with Texas for the American League's third wild card but have dropped back into a traffic jam outside the final postseason berth. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Tua Tagovailoa dropped back, looked left and fired down the left sideline to Drake London. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 20 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 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, 7 Aug. 2026 But Gunther dropped back down to the mat, forcing Aldis to tap out for the victory. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dropped back

Verb

The airline withdrew an application for a third flyover planned for this coming weekend, the aviation authority said.

— Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
The union later withdrew that measure, but only after the council struck a deal to require new hotel projects to go through a more extensive approval process at City Hall.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Lake Washington is a 200-foot-deep trough carved by glaciers that retreated 16,000 years ago.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity.

— Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

The army has published footage of rescues via helicopter, and of people being pulled out of the hydropower tunnels, completely caked in mud.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Fans also protested against the potential £40m deal to sell homegrown talent Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, which Everton then pulled out of before the midfielder could travel for a medical.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of pulled out

Verb

Anthony Gose, who was just recalled on the road trip, retired five consecutive batters.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Following the Channel 4/HBO sketch comedy show Da Ali G Show (2000-’04) and the 2002 Universal movie Ali G Indahouse, Cohen temporarily retired the character in 2007.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026