fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak How to pronounce fallback (audio)
Synonyms of fallbacknext
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
see also:
fall back on

Synonyms of fallback

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Verb

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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
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.
Noun
Modular systems, portable data and realistic fallback plans keep one dependency from becoming the foundation of the whole business. — Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Glide's longer-term goal is to move supported users away from SMS authentication rather than leaving text messages available as the easy fallback. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
There is really no way to talk about the film unless one falls back on wispy vagaries and pointed allusions to cinematic precedents, or just explaining the act one set-up and then stopping with the warning that things get really weird thereafter. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 His players fell back into a lower block and, in that sense, the defensive plan worked. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fallback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fallback was in 1607

Rhymes for fallback

See All Rhymes for fallback

Browse Nearby Words

fall away
fallback
fall back
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fallback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fallback. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fall back

verb
: retreat entry 2 sense 1
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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