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Definitions

fall behind

VERB
trail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase falter lag pull
STRONG
dally dangle dawdle delay dog drag draggle draw droop extend flag halt hang haul hunt linger loiter plod poke procrastinate pursue shadow shag spook spoor stalk straggle stream tail tarry tow trace track traipse trudge
WEAK
bedog bring up the rear drop back fall back follow a scent hang back hang down nose out poke along string along tag along take out after
Antonyms
STRONG
advance carry on complete finish forward go hasten hurry ignore leave leave alone let go push rise run away rush shorten speed stop tiptoe
WEAK
lead

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.

The union said some members often fall behind on rent and resort to long commutes to cut back on high-cost housing near work, while others sleep in cars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

At the company level, “I think it’s driving people to not want to fall behind even though they don’t know how far behind they are,” Weedbrook said.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks gave up a 75-yard touchdown run to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker to fall behind 14-3 early in the third quarter.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

"For an adult, waiting is annoying, painful and difficult. But for a child, waiting means your peer group moves on while you don't. You fall behind and never catch up."

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Back in January he had warned the boys, “We can’t tarry with scholastic laggards . . . any who fall behind are just out, that’s all.”

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown