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 of fallback

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

Gabriel has struggled mightily, and after trading Joe Flacco, Cleveland no longer has a veteran fallback plan. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Many skilled bartenders seem to scorn the Bloody Mary, regarding it as unserious and lightweight, just as many in the food world loathe brunch, the meal most often associated with the Bloody Mary, or wine people ridicule Sancerre, seeing it as a fallback order for people who know little about wine. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

All good, there’s a showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings to fall back on. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

Sophomore Jordan Seaton is Penei Sewell in the making, a quick-twitch blocker who can fire or fall back, with the feet and leverage to pull and plow guys in space. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 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