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.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said it was "actively looking at a range of ways to engage earlier with residents who fall behind with payments" including an informal text messaging service.

From BBC • Mar. 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

In the long run, you’ll probably fall behind whenever most investors want exciting stocks instead—and you would better be prepared for those periods to last for years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 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

"I fall behind in school," my mom explains, continuing the story.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

fall behind

Example Sentences

Related Words