behind 1 of 4

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

behind

3 of 4

adjective

behind

4 of 4

noun

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
The spark for Dhont came with encountering a simple black-and-white photo of a soldier cross-dressing just behind enemy lines. David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 Oral magnesium does, with solid evidence behind it. Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Adverb
Since Musk filed the lawsuit, Altman has insisted that Musk is only after revenge, supposedly stemming from his jealousy that he was not picked as OpenAI’s CEO and that his rival company, xAI, now lags behind. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026 Of her siblings, only three stayed behind. Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Adjective
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
Buffalo entered Saturday with 19 come-from-behind wins, tied for seventh in the NHL. ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026 The Kansas City Current’s feel-good, come-from-behind home victory to open the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season feels like ages ago. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
Preposition
  • The back of Cy Young Award finalist Hunter Brown’s jersey is visible at the bottom.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Woods clipped the back of the truck's trailer, causing the golfer's SUV to tip on its side, authorities said.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Preposition
  • Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
  • The return of Sia's Fan Favorite comes two years after Probst, 64, announced in May 2024, after Survivor's 46th season, that Sia would no longer be awarding money to her favorite players.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Adverb
  • Sullivan, though, first pushed back on the idea the Dolphins were trying to trade him at the NFL meetings later that month, calling him a priority to get extended.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Unidentified trespassers stole the control stick out of an R train while it was parked underground in southern Brooklyn back in December — along a stretch of storage track popular with joyriders and graffiti artists.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • The combination of the chiming, delayed guitar, twiddly ‘80s synths, weird time signatures and Fish’s unique lyrics and vocal delivery all added up to a very intriguing listen.
    Liza Lentini, SPIN, 8 May 2026
  • What started as a delayed flight out of Atlanta quickly turned into a federal case.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The flat-back design also keeps her head from being pushed against the seat.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
  • Some climbed over seats and began obstructing the aisle.
    Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Adverb
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
  • When moved rearward, the driver-side mattress folds and the front part of the bed base telescopes inside the larger rear section so the dinette can be expanded and used comfortably up front.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Park Hyatt Beijing welcomes many business travelers, and the easy-access power and latest USB outlets show the renovation’s attention to detail.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • Look to the spinal cord of the team up the middle, from goalkeepers Mia Justus (who picked up an injury in late April) and the USWNT’s Mandy McGlynn to center back Kate Del Fava, Narumi Miura and Mina Tanaka in the center of the park, and Paige Cronin up top.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • These gentle giants used the surface area of their long necks and tails to shed heat and regulate their body temperature.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 May 2026
  • Various engineers seeking superior grip performance have employed biomimicry in their designs, which have been inspired by seed pods, elephant trunks, lobster tails (in fact, using actual lobster tails), and, of course, octopus limbs.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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