back 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of backnext
1
as in ago
earlier than the present time that's longer back than I can remember

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Relevance

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2
as in around
toward the opposite direction turned back for one last comment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backward
toward the rear concert security asked the crowd to move back

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

2 of 4

noun

ˈbak How to pronounce back (audio)
1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jugular
a vulnerable point a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

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back

3 of 4

verb

1
as in to advocate
to promote the interests or cause of she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities

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2
as in to aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end a number of influential people have already agreed to back the candidate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reinforce
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) the author needs to back her thesis with more facts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

4 of 4

adjective

as in hind
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part she carried all the presents in the back door, as the children were playing in the front yard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word back different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of back are advocate, champion, support, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can advocate be used instead of back?

While the synonyms advocate and back are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would champion be a reasonable alternative to back?

The words champion and back are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When might support be a better fit than back?

In some situations, the words support and back are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of back?

The words uphold and back can be used in similar contexts, but uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

Example Sentences

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 back
Adverb
The frantic match finished 1-0 after LAFC center back Ryan Porteous was called for a handball in the box while defending a corner kick. — Josh Gross, Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026 His strong film put him back on the Cowboys’ radar, but this time as a potential addition. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
Known for unique design flair, such as the Stellar TV's concrete back mounts, Loewe seeks to establish itself in top luxury destinations, building a global lifestyle ecosystem focused on craftsmanship and innovation. — John Archer, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 In Dallas’ preseason opener last weekend in Seattle, the only potential Week 1 starters who saw any playing time were defensive backs Caleb Downs and Shavon Revel. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
In the video, Lofgren alleged that Wahab refused to back a delegation plan that would have assured a candidate won more than 50% of the vote in the June primary and thus filled Swalwell’s seat immediately. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Africa Finance Corporation raised 350 million Swiss francs ($430 million) through a five-year digital bond, giving investors another way to back infrastructure across the continent. — Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s back line and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 The journey to your sandwich Ham starts out as the back leg of a pig. — Anna Dilger, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
  1. ago
  2. around
  3. backward
  4. rear
  5. jugular
  6. advocate
  7. aid
  8. reinforce
Adverb
  • Police said Brown is from Alabama and has an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant connected to a case there involving similar circumstances about five years ago.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ago
Adverb
  • Due to the rising cost of living, many workers are now only able to afford their living expenses for around eight days in each month, according to Faramarz Toufighi, a Labor activist cited in the ILNA report.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Separately, Google parent Alphabet is now the third largest holding of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio, with data suggesting Berkshire bought around $7 billion of Alphabet shares on the open market.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of around
Adverb
  • For about 16 minutes following another practice Vea watched, Vea stood at a podium in a conference room wearing sunglasses and his hat on backward but looking forward to rejoining his teammates on the field.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a 2025 interview with Variety, Andy Muschietti teased that the story will be told backward within three seasons.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of backward
Noun
  • The 2027 Corolla Hybrid features two USB-C ports in the front and rear of the vehicle, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • New front and rear drive units give the GV90 a combined 657 hp (490 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), split 322 hp (240 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) front and 335 hp (250 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) rear.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rear
Noun
  • And then Alvarez went for the jugular with a grand slam to deep center field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Definition of jugular
Verb
  • In the two years since the accident, Alicia, 35, has taken on the role of caregiver for her 37-year-old husband, supporting his therapy exercises, managing appointments and advocating for him within the medical system.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Immigration advocates’ concerns about this second contract announcement focussed on whether the organization was capable of filling that gap.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • Some political actors are warning that a vote during wartime, which would require changes to Ukraine’s constitution and other laws, could aid Russia by destabilizing the government and dividing society.
    — David L. Stern, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Continental Park residents, aided by the larger and politically influential Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations, are gearing up to fight the applications.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • To reinforce its point, the North followed up Thursday with a barrage of about a dozen short-range ballistic missiles launched from around the capital, Pyongyang, eastward toward the sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    — Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Stick Velcro dots to the underside of the felt at the top and bottom, reinforcing the adhesive under the Velcro dots with a little bit of hot glue.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of reinforce

Phrases Containing back

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baches
back
backache
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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on back

Nglish: Translation of back for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about back

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