beaten back
Driven into withdrawal
Beaten back describes being forced to retreat or repelled after an advance.
Armies are beaten back from positions, flames beaten back from structures, crowds beaten back from barriers.
The phrase implies resistance overcome by opposing force: Protesters were beaten back by riot police.
Figuratively, emotions or urges can be beaten back through willpower.
- repelledDrove away forcefully
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- rebuffedRejected someone's advances
- turned awayRefused admission or attention
- retreatedMoved backward from advance
disheartened · demoralized · fought off · discouraged · frustrated · thwarted · suppressed · reversed · resisted · recoiled · countered · diverted · blocked · withdrawn · displaced · opposed · redirected · hindered
beaten backbroke through
pushed forward · advanced · overran · conquered · triumphed
beaten backbroke through
pushed through · overcame · succeeded · prevailed · forged ahead
beaten, back, beat, beats, beating, beatings, beater, beaters, unbeaten