drew back

VERB

retract from position

Synonyms

WEAK

deduct discount pull back recede recoil reel in retreat sheathe shrink start back subtract take away withdraw

Antonyms

WEAK

forge go forward start

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.

Daniel-Hoste drew back from friends, concocting excuses to avoid meals out unless a friend offered to pay.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Mr Baldwin has maintained he did not pull the trigger, and only drew back the hammer of the pistol.

From BBC • May 24, 2024

You can hear the “record scratch as Jade drew back in her seat,” Chau writes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2023

At Twitter, Mr. Musk drew back the curtain on what the company’s executives did in 2020 by linking to a lengthy Twitter thread by independent journalist Matt Taibbi.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2022

And then he must have caught sight of me because he drew back abruptly, and a figure behind him put up an arm and closed the shutters.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier