fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak 

1

: something on which one can fall back : reserve

—often used attributively

a fallback career

a fallback position

2

: a falling back : retreat

3

: something that falls back

the fallback from an explosion

fall back

2 of 2

verb

fell back; fallen back; falling back; falls back

intransitive verb

: retreat, recede

Phrases

fall back on or fall back upon

: to have recourse to

had to fall back on their reserves

Synonyms

Verb

• withdraw
• retreat
• drop back
• pull out
• retire

Examples of fallback in a Sentence

Verb

resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Not merely with the media but going forward in the offseason — during which the Royals have some pivotal work to do if this season is going to prove a springboard instead of a fallback. —Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2025

Still, Altman admitted that when parents are unreachable, police may become the fallback option. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

Verb

Back then, inflation also ramped up past 5%, fell back toward 3%, but then ultimately soared above 10% between 1972 and 1974, hurt by the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo and the end of President Nixon's wage and price controls . —Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025

Even when new songs have come for the crown, a lot of them have only remained briefly at the top before falling back behind the top 10’s longterm residents in 2025. —Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fallback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

fall back

verb

: retreat entry 2 sense 1