back

⁴back

verb

Definition of BACK

transitive verb

1

a : to support by material or moral assistance —often used with up b : substantiate c : to assume financial responsibility for d : to provide musical accompaniment for —often used with up

2

a : to cause to go back or in reverse b : to articulate (a sound) with the tongue farther back

3

a : to furnish with a back b : to be at the back of

intransitive verb

1

: to move backward —often used with up

2

of the wind : to shift counterclockwise — compare veer

3

: to have the back in the direction of something

— back·er \ˈba-kər\ noun

— back and fill

1

: to manage the sails of a ship so as to keep it clear of obstructions as it floats down with the current of a river or channel

2

: to take opposite positions alternately : shilly-shally

— back into

: to get into inadvertently <backed into the antiques business>

Examples of BACK

1. I'm backing him for President.
2. She backed the winner of the race and won a lot of money.
3. She backed her argument with written evidence.
4. She backed the singer on the guitar.
5. She backed into a parking space.
6. She backed out of the garage.
7. The dog kept growling but backed off cautiously.
8. back a skirt with stiff material

First Known Use of BACK

1548

Related to BACK

Synonyms: advocate, support, champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, plump (for), plunk (for) or plonk (for)

Antonyms: hinder

Related Words: adopt, embrace, espouse; abet, aid, assist, help, prop (up), second, side (with); backstop, bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce); advance, forward, further; plug, preach, talk up; bail out, deliver, rescue, save

Near Antonyms: baffle, foil, frustrate, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart; desert, disappoint, fail, let down

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at support, recede