backwater

noun

back·​wa·​ter ˈbak-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

1

a

: water backed up in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide

b

: a body of water (such as an inlet or tributary) that is out of the main current of a larger body

2

a

: an isolated or unsophisticated place or condition

b

: an unpopular or unimportant field (as of study or business)

Synonyms of backwater

• countryside
• backwoods
• frontier
• bush
• country
• hinterland
• outback
• up-country
• (the) back of beyond

Examples of backwater in a Sentence

The once sleepy backwater is now a thriving city.

a distant backwater that didn't even have electricity at that time

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2002 Bisignano took charge at a Citi backwater called Global Transactions Services that was then losing $3 billion a year. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026

The film takes place in a dreary town in Victoria, Australia, a drab industrial backwater whose people — or, at least some of whom — flock to religion to give their lives the brightness of hope and higher purpose. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026

The Arctic is no longer a frozen backwater. —Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

But in reality, playing in that kind of backwater only exposes gamblers to more risk. —David K. Li, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for backwater

• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater
• manslaughter

Kids Definition

backwater

noun

back·​wa·​ter ˈbak-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

1

: water held or turned back from its course

2

: a backward place or condition