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

An entrée that’s too often a boring fallback for the unadventurous diner is transformed, here, into a clever, dazzling reward. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

Walmart's take on the trend has also become a fallback for fans unable to find the original. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Verb

SpaceX, too, has implemented its own recovery and refurbishment plans for Falcon 9 fairings, but the two halves of the shell protecting the rocket's payload on its way to orbit are still designed to split apart and fall back to Earth independently of each other, and of Falcon 9's first stage. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025

After being one of the big surprises of the early season, the Raptors have fallen back to the pack a bit, losing five of their last six and three in a row. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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