start back

VERB

draw back

Synonyms

WEAK

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

Antonyms

WEAK

forge go forward start

VERB

retreat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon back down back off backtrack depart escape evacuate fall back go go back hide leave pull out recede reel retire reverse shrink withdraw

STRONG

avoid back decamp disengage ebb elude evade fold quail quit recoil regress relinquish resign retrograde run sequester vacate

WEAK

back away back out beat it cave in draw back give ground go along with hand over keep aloof keep apart lay down move back opt out retrocede seclude oneself turn tail

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance come continue enter forge forward go forward keep meet remain stay

STRONG

face take on

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.

Alek estimated the time it took the engine to start back up was about a quarter of a second.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"We're trying to preserve what we would need to start back up," Fang said.

From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025

“I’m not Monopolying this. I’m not starting back at, ‘Pass go and you collect $200 to start back at go.’

From MarketWatch • Oct. 15, 2025

“If they had waited for fall launch and school to start back up, it would have been one hell of a success.”

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2024

We start back the way we think we came, but we come out into a clearing neither of us remembers.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila