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

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

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

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

"Obviously here I've had great success over the last few years. I can fall back on that tomorrow in any scenario starting out."

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

From that time on, this was how she ended every one of her letters to Robbie in France, right through to the last, which arrived just before the order came to fall back on Dunkirk.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

fall back on

Example Sentences

Related Words