fall behind

phrase

Synonyms of fall behindnext
1
: to lag behind
The slower hikers fell behind the group.
2
: to be in arrears
He fell behind in his car payments.

Examples of fall behind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greenhouse emissions remained high, fossil fuels continued to dominate the energy market, and countries eventually fell behind on their climate goals. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 Kentucky, which lost to Vanderbilt 45-17 last year, had just 14 yards in the first quarter and fell behind 10-0 before scoring back-to-back touchdowns on its last two possessions of the first half. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The document specifically mentions AI tutors and assistance for students falling behind in the curriculum. — Dmytro Korchevskyi, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Low-cost airlines, like the now-defunct Spirit Airlines, have fallen behind. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall behind

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fall behind was in 1652

Rhymes for fall behind

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Browse Nearby Words

fall back on
fall behind
fall between two stools
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20behind. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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