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.

Then again, it wouldn’t come with millions of dollars to fall back on, either.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Norris never had that to fall back on.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

But winters in the Spiti Valley are long and quiet, with little agricultural work to fall back on.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

In the end, these efforts still fall back on timing and luck, zoo officials say.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

What she would fall back on was Grandpa, of course.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns