1. A device (as a decorative loop of cord or fabric) for holding or drawing something back
   "the draperies were drawn to the sides by pullbacks";
   - tieback
    
2. (military) the act of pulling back (especially an orderly withdrawal of troops)
   "The general ordered a pullback of troops from the contested region";
   - pullout, fallback
    
3. A reduction in the price of a financial instrument after a previous increase
   "Investors waited for a pullback before buying more shares"

1. Move away or backward
   "The enemy pulled back";
   - withdraw, retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, retire, move back
    
2. Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
   "The investor pulled back from the deal at the last minute";
   - retreat, back out, back away, crawfish [N. Amer, informal], crawfish out [N. Amer, informal], pull in one's horns [informal], withdraw
    
3. Move to a rearward position; pull towards the back
   "Pull back your arms!"
    
4. Stretch back a bowstring (on an archer's bow)
   "The archers were pulling back their bows";
   - draw
    
5. (surgery) hold open the edges of a wound or organ using a surgical instrument called a retractor
   "The assistant pulled back the skin during the procedure";
   - retract, draw back

Derived forms: pulling back, pulled back, pulls back, pullbacks

See also: draw

Type of: break, break off, cease, discontinue, draw, give up, go, holding device, lay off, locomote, move, pull, quit, stop, stretch, surcease [archaic], travel, withdrawal

Encyclopedia: Pullback