Synonyms

fallback

American

[fawl-bak] / ˈfɔlˌbæk /

noun

an act or instance of falling back.
something or someone to turn or return to, especially for help or as an alternative.

His teaching experience would be a fallback if the business failed.

adjective

Also fall-back of or designating something kept in reserve or as an alternative.

The negotiators agreed on a fallback position.

Etymology

Origin of fallback

1750–60, noun, adj. use of verb phrase fall back

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.

Unified is exploring an idea to create regional hubs at which parents could drop off students — as a fallback for families with no other child-care options, according to sources with knowledge of the planning.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

It then hit their fallback sites including sports arenas and recreational facilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

And, in the short term, experts say, coal remains the most readily available fallback.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Theoretical models have long suggested that this fallback can turn the neutron star into a black hole.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

"We learned together! You know the fashion industry makes more from perfumes than it does from clothes? I figured it would be a good fallback skill. Here."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023