fell back

VERB

retreat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

recede withdraw

WEAK

back draw back give back recoil retire retrocede retrograde surrender yield

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance

WEAK

forge forward progress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So I fell back into the arms of a proper scorekeeping app.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2026

The stock broke out from its monthslong trading range of $165-$195 amid wider enthusiasm about the semiconductor sector last week but subsequently fell back.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Employment fell back into negative territory in April after reaching a one-year peak in the month prior.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Serhiy says he "felt a shake, as if some kind of wave passed", wondered if it was a mild earthquake, and fell back to sleep.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Then she fell back to the ground and lay looking up at the night.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers