fall back on

VERB

draw on

Synonyms

WEAK

effect employ exploit extract have recourse to make use of rely on require take from

VERB

resort

Synonyms

STRONG

address affect apply devote direct employ exercise frequent go haunt recur repair run try turn use utilize visit

WEAK

avail oneself of benefit by bring into play go to head for look to make use of put to use recur to refer to take up turn to

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain break halt ignore misuse shun stay stop

WEAK

avoid dodge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When SpaceX lost a pad in 2016 it took 15 months to rebuild it — and SpaceX had other pads to fall back on.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

And now, when Smith doesn’t get a call, he has ABS to fall back on.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

He has his summer job from last year, as a dock hand for a ferry, to fall back on, he said, but that’s not quite the same.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

"Obviously here I've had great success over the last few years. I can fall back on that tomorrow in any scenario starting out."

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

I fall back on my bed, pulling my knees into the towel knot.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

fall back on

Example Sentences

Related Words