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Est. 1828
Thesaurus

Synonyms of fall behind

  • as in delay
  • as in delay
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fall behind

phrase

Definition of fall behindnext
as in delay
to move or act slowly He lost his footing and fell behind in the relay.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • delay
  • linger
  • drag
  • crawl
  • poke
  • drop behind
  • mark time
  • hang fire
  • stroll
  • play
  • creep
  • lag
  • loiter
  • stall
  • shuffle
  • drag one's feet link icon
  • dawdle
  • take one's time
  • diddle
  • mope
  • lounge
  • tarry
  • lollygag link icon
  • fiddle (around)
  • dillydally
  • fool around
  • potter (around)
  • putter (around)
  • dally
  • idle
  • hang (around or out)
  • monkey (around)
  • mess around
  • stagger
  • slow (down or up)
  • shilly-shally
  • trifle
  • loaf
  • saunter
  • inch
  • amble
  • ease
  • decelerate
  • loll
  • lumber
  • temporize
  • procrastinate
  • filibuster
  • plod

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • course
  • race
  • fly
  • speed
  • run
  • career
  • hurry
  • rush
  • tear
  • rocket
  • bolt
  • barrel
  • hasten
  • rip
  • dash
  • zip
  • breeze
  • scurry
  • whiz link icon
  • bowl
  • whirl
  • whisk
  • scramble
  • hump
  • run
  • stampede
  • dart
  • speed (up)
  • hustle
  • hotfoot (it)
  • gallop
  • trot
  • jog
  • accelerate
  • scoot
  • sprint
  • catch up
  • scud
  • hurtle
  • quicken
  • overtake
  • outrun
  • outstrip
  • outpace
  • fast-forward

Browse Nearby Words

fall back on
fall behind
fall down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20behind. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

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