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

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

Tidwell fell behind in the count 3-1 to Duran, but got Duran to flail at a sweeper out of the zone for strike two, then locked him up on another sweeper to punch him out. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Bell also fell behind 0-2 in the count before taking four straight balls to load the bases, the last ball confirmed after an ABS challenge by Kansas City. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The Royals led 3-0 through four innings, fell behind after giving up four runs in the fifth before going back ahead on Massey's blast to right. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

The Padres fell behind early and stranded runners throughout. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

Raleigh fell behind 0-2 in the count but worked a nine-pitch walk that scored Crawford and chased Ureña (5-7). — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026