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behind 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of behindnext
1
as in back of
at, to, or toward the rear of she preferred to be behind the lead hikers, who were always too much in a rush to enjoy the scenery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order we arrived behind them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

2 of 4

adverb

as in back

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

behind

3 of 4

adjective

bi-ˈhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time the required work was behind, so now we're running late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

4 of 4

noun

ˈbē-ˌhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits cleaned the baby's behind

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 behind
Preposition
In other words, the 12% alpha hydroxy acid concentration gradually exfoliates the buildup behind that telltale texture while attracting water into the skin. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Sep. 2026 Yet behind the viral video sits a bigger question about the growing number of delivery robots rolling through American cities. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Rick Moranis is stepping back into the spotlight after decades away from Hollywood, joining a growing list of stars who left fame behind and later returned. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Coon is torn apart when she feels compelled to leave her family behind, and again when her daughters try to intervene and retrieve her. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The chefs are running super-behind, so service is slow. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shortsleeve sits well-behind Minogue and Healey, with just $602,051 in cash on hand. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026 Green Dot has been handed a new group of far-behind students every single year. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
  1. back of
  2. after
  3. back
  4. delayed
  5. seat
  6. rearward
  7. late
  8. tail
Preposition
  • The younger girl sat on the back of the bike, while the older teen pedaled and steered, police sources said.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, resale brought to mind old, dusty clothes in the back of a closet and rummaging through thrift store racks just to put on someone else’s shoes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of back of
Preposition
  • To find it, look low above the southwestern horizon after sunset, where Venus will be easy to spot despite the lingering twilight.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Cultural performances in the lounge after dark carry the energy of the day forward, so the soul of the river stays with you even when the ship is still.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • For multi-generation families that want to stay together, Benton Cottage offers the perfect base, containing four bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and enclosed back yard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Bronwyn’s mother, Muzzy, who was lambasted all of last season for being cold and arguably cruel to her daughter, is notably softer in her first scene back — though the bob is as cunty as ever.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • The delayed flight was one of two crises that Haitian officials faced on Thursday with deportees being returned from the United States.
    — Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • After Tuesday’s practice, Purdy detailed how a delayed throw to Luke Farrell got intercepted by linebacker Del-Shawn Phillips off near the goal line.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • And all of a sudden, there’s a grumble going on and people will sit back down in their seats and [think about] this fear of growing old.
    — Fred Bronson, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In two South Florida congressional districts, the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board endorses long-time Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and, in an open seat, newcomer Pia Dandiya.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of seat
Adverb
  • The floor plan centers around a single- or dual-seat lounge that faces rearward to provide views through the open entryway.
    — C.C. Weiss May 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of rearward
Adjective
  • The court ruled late Monday in an emergency order that the restrictions would most likely lose in court, at least for this year's election.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Saccharide is a carbohydrate made of sugars, and the Aries season falls between late March and early April.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of late
Noun
  • One simply went outside through a doggy door, while the other tried to engage the man, walking up to him repeatedly with toys in mouth, tail wagging.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The 2% miss rate that looks like a rounding error to a generalist reads as a five-year tail problem to an operator.
    — Kyle Nakatsuji, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of tail

Phrases Containing behind

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behests
behind
behind bars
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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on behind

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about behind

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