Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

fall behind

VERB
trail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase falter lag pull
STRONG
dally dangle dawdle delay dog drag draggle draw droop extend flag halt hang haul hunt linger loiter plod poke procrastinate pursue shadow shag spook spoor stalk straggle stream tail tarry tow trace track traipse trudge
WEAK
bedog bring up the rear drop back fall back follow a scent hang back hang down nose out poke along string along tag along take out after
Antonyms
STRONG
advance carry on complete finish forward go hasten hurry ignore leave leave alone let go push rise run away rush shorten speed stop tiptoe
WEAK
lead

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.

One by one, cattle fall behind him single file to consume a breakfast of ground corn and hay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks gave up a 75-yard touchdown run to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker to fall behind 14-3 early in the third quarter.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

"For an adult, waiting is annoying, painful and difficult. But for a child, waiting means your peer group moves on while you don't. You fall behind and never catch up."

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

But consumers who fall behind can face a shutoff once the moratorium ends at the end of March.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

“Yishan,” Pinmei whispered fiercely, pulling him to fall behind the king’s billowing robes.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin