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
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Recent Examples of drop back
But Oklahoma City’s shooting, which has been mediocre in this series, will have to improve in a high-pressure situation to make the Pacers pay for dropping back into the gaps.
—
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 21 June 2025
McIlroy started the front nine, his second nine after teeing off on No. 10, with a bogey on the first hole to drop back to 1-under.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
However, conditions will dry out again on Sunday with humidity dropping back to 20% and winds gusting up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Wirtz would provide extra creativity, but with Kane often dropping back and Olise excelling in the half-spaces, there is potential for this to be a clunky fit on paper.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
Jared Weiss, New York Times, 21 June 2025
McIlroy started the front nine, his second nine after teeing off on No. 10, with a bogey on the first hole to drop back to 1-under.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
However, conditions will dry out again on Sunday with humidity dropping back to 20% and winds gusting up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Wirtz would provide extra creativity, but with Kane often dropping back and Olise excelling in the half-spaces, there is potential for this to be a clunky fit on paper.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drop back
Verb
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Topline Half of the roughly 4,000 National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles last month amid immigration raid protests will be withdrawn, the Trump administration announced Tuesday, calling off the soldiers weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom unsuccessfully tried to block their deployment.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Stanley said crews were initially able to fight the fire near a chlorine leak at a water treatment facility, but eventually had to withdraw due to safety concerns for pilots who could breathe toxic fumes.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Mortensen retreated back into her room and locked the door, immediately texting her housemates.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025
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There have been several boycotts by consumers angry that the retailer has retreated from its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Verb
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No falling back on last season for bbref now — the daily 1,000 simulations are based entirely on this season and have the Tigers at 94.7 wins, down from … 94.9 last week.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
22 July 2025
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Have the Red Sox fallen back since their last World Series in 2018, and sometimes into last place?—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
19 July 2025
Verb
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However, Giles was forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury suffered during his weight cut.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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But when Morejón was named a replacement for Zack Wheeler, who pulled out in order to rest during the All-Star break, that is the one that tickled the Padres the most.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
Verb
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The same's true for someone who is retired and taking taxable withdrawals from traditional 401(k) plans.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
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Merle sold his barbershop the same day and retired.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drop%20back. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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