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

Thomas, a first-round pick under the previous regime, fell behind receivers Parker Washington and trade-deadline acquisition Jakobi Meyers down the stretch. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 20 July 2026

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

Muncy fell behind 0-2 and with a 2-2 count on the seventh pitch drove a hanging slider into the right-field second deck for his 18th home run. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

Facing China under a new Olympic tournament format that offered virtually no margin for error, the United States quickly fell behind two sets to none. — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals. — Miami Herald, 7 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

The Phillies squandered an early 3-0 lead and fell behind 4-3 before Schwarber hit a 408-foot drive to center field off Kodai Senga (0-7), who was making the first regular-season relief appearance of his big league career. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 28 June 2026