beat back

VERB

repel

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand

STRONG

buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse

WEAK

beat off brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support

WEAK

attract draw

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.

A couple of years ago, the biotech backed by billionaire Bob Duggan published data suggesting its drug, ivonescimab, beat back a form of lung cancer longer than Keytruda did.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Themes may emerge: how you beat back adversity, sacrificed for others or discovered new ways to love.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

If you opt for private sessions, there’s a misconception that it will involve revealing your innermost secrets, perhaps while lying on a couch, as a therapist prods you to beat back your demons.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

In other words, it’s riveting prose about how humans beat back despair.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

The Lord will provide, he chants, then he takes off his shirt and begins to beat back the flames.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

beat back

Example Sentences

Related Words