Synonyms of falling behind

falling behind

phrase

present participle of fall behind

as in delaying

to move or act slowly

He lost his footing and fell behind in the relay.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delaying
• lingering
• dragging
• crawling
• poking
• dropping behind
• hanging fire
• marking time
• strolling
• playing
• creeping
• dragging one's feet
• taking one's time
• loitering
• lagging
• fiddling (around)
• shuffling
• puttering (around)
• fooling around
• hanging (around or out)
• dawdling
• moping
• stalling
• dillydallying
• pottering (around)
• diddling
• lollygagging
• messing around
• monkeying (around)
• tarrying
• lounging
• staggering
• slowing (down or up)
• dallying
• idling
• trifling
• shilly-shallying
• loafing
• sauntering
• ambling
• decelerating
• inching
• lolling
• easing
• temporizing
• procrastinating
• lumbering
• plodding
• filibustering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flying
• rushing
• racing
• running
• tearing
• speeding
• ripping
• hurrying
• whirling
• hastening
• scurrying
• dashing
• whizzing
• bolting
• scudding
• whisking
• coursing
• scrambling
• barreling
• scooting
• zipping
• rocketing
• darting
• bowling
• hurtling
• hotfooting (it)
• careering
• running
• hustling
• speeding (up)
• humping
• stampeding
• jogging
• galloping
• trotting
• accelerating
• breezing
• catching up
• sprinting
• quickening
• overtaking
• outpacing
• outstripping
• outrunning
• fast-forwarding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of falling behind

That costly tendency contributed to the Commanders falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter against the Eagles. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

The Irish scored 28 unanswered points after falling behind 13-7 with 1 minute, 52 seconds left in the first half. — Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2026

The document specifically mentions AI tutors and assistance for students falling behind in the curriculum. — Dmytro Korchevskyi, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Shifts in culture affected the appetite for all of this, and Victoria’s Secret went from being on top of the world to falling behind conversations about inclusivity and body positivity. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Castillo’s game-winning 28-yard touchdown run capped off a Brackenridge comeback in which the Eagles scored 21 unanswered points after falling behind 14-0 in the third quarter. — David Dekunder, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

The 2006 law helped cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels and fueled clean-energy growth, but California is falling behind its next targets. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

The six-time major winner started slowly against her Polish compatriot, dropping an early service game and falling behind 2-0 before winning six straight games to take the first set. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Lose World Series in five to the Dodgers in ’24 after falling behind 3-0. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026