1
as in stumbling
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
better sand that walkway before somebody falls on the ice
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in succumbing
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
the city fell after weeks of merciless bombardment
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3
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
word soon got out that the movie was no good, and box-office receipts fell like a rock
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4
as in decreasing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
manufacturing in the area is falling, and closing signs are going up all over
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5
as in descending
to lead or extend downward
the lake bottom falls sharply just a few feet from the shoreline, so be careful
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6
as in losing
to undergo defeat
not surprisingly, the novice player fell to a much stronger opponent
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7
as in wandering
to commit an offense
even saints can fall
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8
as in dying
to stop living
if their brave leader falls, the men will lose their courage
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as in dangling
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Dissimilar Words
as in weakening
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of falling
Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The two men became friends, or at least acquaintances, in the late 1980s and had a falling out in 2004.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
But Chip started to have health problems and also had a falling out with administration.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Volatility returns to markets Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, jumped 31% on Friday — its biggest one-day gain since April — before falling 12% on Monday.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Production in Los Angeles continued to be anemic over the last three months, falling below the level of activity recorded during the 2023 writers and actors strikes.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Stern hopes things will change now that the bombs have stopped falling on Gaza.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
The movie’s release date benefits from the Veteran’s Day holiday falling during the title’s opening week.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Other videos show Denny nearly falling while trying to balance on a branch in his enclosure.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Leading up to the moment, one of Lopez's backup dancers could be seen adjusting her skirt to prevent it from slipping down or falling entirely.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Perhaps the most recent and high-profile is the infamous falling out between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the British Royal Family.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
The two men became friends, or at least acquaintances, in the late 1980s and had a falling out in 2004.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
But Chip started to have health problems and also had a falling out with administration.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The hope for gold-producing nations like Ghana is to responsibly leverage this bountiful natural resource without falling prey to environmental degradation and civil strife.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Volatility returns to markets Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, jumped 31% on Friday — its biggest one-day gain since April — before falling 12% on Monday.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Production in Los Angeles continued to be anemic over the last three months, falling below the level of activity recorded during the 2023 writers and actors strikes.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Stern hopes things will change now that the bombs have stopped falling on Gaza.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
The movie’s release date benefits from the Veteran’s Day holiday falling during the title’s opening week.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Other videos show Denny nearly falling while trying to balance on a branch in his enclosure.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Leading up to the moment, one of Lopez's backup dancers could be seen adjusting her skirt to prevent it from slipping down or falling entirely.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling
Verb
-
But the researchers said stumbling upon the copious number of artifacts entangled in the historical nests took them by surprise.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
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That, along with Trevor Lawrence’s stumbling and bumbling game winner Monday evening, led to yours truly spending Tuesday night rewatching every touchdown through five weeks of 2025.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Everything has broken right for Egbuka since the moment he was drafted, with Chris Godwin having a setback from his 2024 injury, Jalen McMillan severely injuring his neck and then Mike Evans succumbing to his annual hamstring injury.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Alas, Waller wasn’t targeted again and the Dolphins punted on six of their final seven possessions, succumbing 27-24 in a gut-wrenching loss at Carolina to fall to 1-4.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The model wore a pink look featuring a belted, silky one-piece with short shorts and plunging neckline.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Models walking his sultry runway seduced the audience in beautiful suiting, a dress with a plunging neckline that mirrored an equally high slit.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
John McAdorey / Shutterstock file Flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport faced delays of around 30 minutes late Tuesday afternoon, but the delay times were decreasing, the FAA said.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
8 Oct. 2025
-
It can be tuned to match your weight and riding style simply by increasing or decreasing the air pressure.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This week saw Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos descending on the Eternal City to announce the streaming giant’s plans to help revive a storied cinema, as well as a host of international TV executives mooting the possibility of an upturn that could pull the global drama biz out of its recent doldrums.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Freight rate collapse continues All the carriers’ operational shifts come as freight rates keep descending.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In her latest book, Strong Ground, Brown makes a compelling case that we’re not wired for this level of uncertainty, and risk losing focus on the core values of courageous and sustainable leadership.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mid-October will see the wandering body pass close to the star Alkaphrah, or Chi Ursae Majoris in the constellation Ursa Major, just below the 'dipper' portion of the Big Dipper asterism, before beating a path through the night sky towards the star Cor Caroli in the constellation Canes Venatici.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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On his first night alone in the city, Alex is wandering around the Village and tries to get a drink at the Olive Tree Café, the fabled spot on MacDougal Street that’s attached to the Comedy Cellar (which is the floor below).—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Away from the ship, Barton was spending much of her time in a warehouse called Los Fosos, four long buildings housing hundreds of reconcentrados who were dying so quickly their graves went unnamed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
-
He was later sold to an amusement park in Mexico before starring in Free Willy, being released back into the ocean in 1998 before dying.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Falling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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