beat back
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To fight against and cause to recede.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I couldn't expect people to understand how much their voices actually meant to me—how they had sustained my spirits and beat back whispering doubts on those late, solitary nights.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “beat back” mean?
To fight against and cause to recede.
Is “beat back” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.