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.

And now, when Smith doesn’t get a call, he has ABS to fall back on.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

It’s easy enough in theory to fall back on the principle, “well, too bad — let this be a lesson to you!”

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

It depends on China for 75% of its fertiliser and has almost no domestic production to fall back on.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

He has his summer job from last year, as a dock hand for a ferry, to fall back on, he said, but that’s not quite the same.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

I guess they’ve had to fall back on a melange, whatever they could scrounge or salvage.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

fall back on

Example Sentences

Related Words