Synonyms of fell behind

fell behind

phrase

past tense of fall behind

as in delayed

to move or act slowly

He lost his footing and fell behind in the relay.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• delayed
• lingered
• dragged
• crawled
• poked
• dropped behind
• strolled
• marked time
• played
• hung fire
• crept
• lagged
• loitered
• dillydallied
• stalled
• dawdled
• shuffled
• moped
• diddled
• dragged one's feet
• took one's time
• lollygagged
• fiddled (around)
• puttered (around)
• tarried
• shilly-shallied
• staggered
• dallied
• pottered (around)
• lounged
• fooled around
• idled
• hung (around or out)
• trifled
• messed around
• monkeyed (around)
• slowed (down or up)
• sauntered
• loafed
• ambled
• decelerated
• inched
• eased
• lolled
• temporized
• procrastinated
• plodded
• lumbered
• filibustered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flew
• rushed
• raced
• ripped
• bolted
• hurried
• sped
• ran
• hastened
• dashed
• tore
• scurried
• whisked
• whizzed
• scooted
• whirled
• coursed
• zipped
• scrambled
• barreled
• rocketed
• scudded
• hustled
• darted
• hurtled
• humped
• trotted
• ran
• sped (up)
• bowled
• hotfooted (it)
• stampeded
• accelerated
• breezed
• caught up
• jogged
• sprinted
• galloped
• careered
• quickened
• outpaced
• overtook
• outstripped
• outran
• fast-forwarded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fell behind

In the fourth game, the Broncos fell behind 13-0 and appeared on the verge of 0-4. — Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The Ducks fell behind 20-14 after two quarters but pulled out a 37-34 win with a field goal as time expired. — Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Casey started with a three-shot lead and fell behind as Lawrence put on a dynamic charge. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026

Hernández fell behind in the count 0-and-2 and then sent a cutter for a ride to deep left-center. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Brewers manager Pat Murphy had a discussion with third base umpire and crew chief Vic Carapazza in the third, when Misiorowski fell behind 2-0 on Francisco Alvarez following a walk to Morel. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Those borrowers who fell behind on their student loans and were deemed delinquent saw their FICO score decline by an average of 38 points. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

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

Boston fell behind 2-0 in the third inning when Chase Meidroth hit the first of his two homers on the night. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026