FALLS (TO) Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

falls (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of fall (to)

as in begins

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) after some refreshments, she fell to working with renewed vigor

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for falls (to)

Verb

Surf begins to wane Sunday afternoon but may remain elevated for west-facing beaches into Monday.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause, typically begins in one's 40s and can last several years, often bringing symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, irritability and lower energy, according to the Office on Women's Health.

— Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of begins

Verb

Or to be up high and see that, down below, a town is just a grid spread out on a map and nothing more, a grid that flickers with lights that spark on as the darkness commences.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
The process, in other words, commences with the industrial production of miniature supernovas.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of commences

Verb

Come nightfall, the rooftop bar opens and hotel guests and outside visitors (who pay a cover for access) can sip cocktails on plush white sofas or grab an Adirondack chair by the firepit while a DJ spins.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
The 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, known for her ballads of love and heartbreak, opens the song with gentle hums, followed by soft then powerful vocals.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of opens

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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falls short (of)

falls (to)

fall (to)

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“Falls (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falls%20%28to%29. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of falls (to)

verb

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