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Definitions

fall back on

VERB
draw on
Synonyms
WEAK
effect employ exploit extract have recourse to make use of rely on require take from
VERB
resort
Synonyms
STRONG
address affect apply devote direct employ exercise frequent go haunt recur repair run try turn use utilize visit
WEAK
avail oneself of benefit by bring into play go to head for look to make use of put to use recur to refer to take up turn to
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain break halt ignore misuse shun stay stop
WEAK
avoid dodge

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.

Norris never had that to fall back on.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

I knew that some had trust funds to fall back on, or that they were driving cars paid for by their parents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

"If all else fails, I've got golf to fall back on," she added.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

Market bubbles can be difficult to identify and predict, as the BIS researchers noted, though analysts often fall back on statistical approaches that focus on “explosive behavior” in how asset prices move.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

As writers, then, we should try to get into our readers’ heads and be mindful of how easy it is to fall back on parochial jargon and private abstractions.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker