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Definitions

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.

Two-thirds of Santé’s investments are in biotech and medtech startups, whose drugs and devices seek to beat back the biological causes of disease.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 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

Looking terrified, Ahmed tried to beat back tears as he told the BBC what happened next.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

In early October, CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator went on Bloomberg TV and tried to beat back the revolt.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

For nearly three weeks, French troops beat back successive enemy attacks on Fort Souville.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman