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

see also fall back on

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

Meanwhile, side hustles have become the fallback plan. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

And when there are no pennies in the till, rounding to the nearest nickel has become the fallback. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026

Verb

Unable to find another directing job, Stroheim fell back on acting work. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026

Giovanna had fallen back asleep. —Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026

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