fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak 

1

: something on which one can fall back : reserve

—often used attributively

a fallback career

a fallback position

2

: a falling back : retreat

3

: something that falls back

the fallback from an explosion

fall back

2 of 2

verb

fell back; fallen back; falling back; falls back

intransitive verb

: retreat, recede

Phrases

fall back on or fall back upon

: to have recourse to

had to fall back on their reserves

Synonyms

Verb

• back away
• drop back
• pull out
• recede
• retire
• retreat
• withdraw

Examples of fallback in a Sentence

Verb

resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In times of uncertainty, nostalgia seems to be the fallback. —Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

But litigation was only the fallback, in case the firm failed to find a way to get Trump’s attention. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025

Verb

Gently wake them up when the alarm goes off, encourage them to stay awake for a few minutes before falling back asleep. —David Metzger, Parents, 3 Apr. 2025

If only the Niners had that kind of depth to fall back upon. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fallback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

fall back

verb

: retreat entry 2 sense 1