Synonyms of fall behind

fall behind

phrase

as in delay

to move or act slowly

He lost his footing and fell behind in the relay.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delay
• linger
• drag
• crawl
• poke
• drop behind
• mark time
• hang fire
• stroll
• play
• creep
• lag
• loiter
• stall
• shuffle
• drag one's feet
• dawdle
• take one's time
• diddle
• mope
• lounge
• tarry
• lollygag
• 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
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fall behind

When Bracken fell behind on his debt, the theater was sold at a foreclosure auction by Arthur Cantor and Robert Fishko, who reopened for the 1971-72 season. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

And with the average rate on credit card accounts that were charged interest recently topping 22%, falling behind on this type of revolving debt can become expensive quickly. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Warning systems are falling behind Some of these concerns about AI safety and reliable monitoring are shared across the industry—especially in the wake of the recent accidental agent hacks. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

For the industry, the opportunity is significant—but so is the risk of falling behind. — Mita Malhotra, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026