FALLING BEHIND Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

falling behind

phrase

present participle of fall behind

as in delaying

to move or act slowly He lost his footing and fell behind in the relay.

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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.

Recent Examples of falling behind After falling behind early, the Red Sox battled back repeatedly, with Wilyer Abreu tying the game in the ninth and Caleb Durbin delivering a walk-off single in the 13th. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 And workers who punch out mentally and go straight to enjoying their weekend may be falling behind. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Stocks sank on that surge in yields, as investors questioned whether the central bank was falling behind in its inflation fight. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 Philadelphia scored three unanswered goals after falling behind 2-0 despite playing with a man advantage for more than an hour. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 But it’s been accused of falling behind in AI, and its core business might have fewer growth opportunities than a rapidly advancing new technology. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 The Red Sox falling behind early was one of several recurring themes of the series. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 31 July 2026 The Jayhawks appeared dazed after falling behind 10-1 early before 3,192 enthusiastic fans. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026 After falling behind, the Argentines made a furious push to tie the game. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

falling back on

falling behind

falling down

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“Falling behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling%20behind. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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