1
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction
turned back for one last comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backwards
toward the rear
concert security asked the crowd to move back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jugular
a vulnerable point
a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
After a brief break early next week for places like Portland, the heat will ramp back up by midweek with highs back in the mid-90s on Wednesday.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025
Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
He was discovered lying face down on his bed covered in a blanket with trauma and what appeared to be a stab wound to his back, police source said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Science backs this up: Simple expressions of warmth can lower stress hormones for both giver and receiver.
—Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
This is because many large pickup trucks are used to haul trailers, which block the back license plate.
—Eleanor Nash
july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Basha starts back to school on July 16 with the rest of the Chandler Unified School District schools.
—Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
After a brief break early next week for places like Portland, the heat will ramp back up by midweek with highs back in the mid-90s on Wednesday.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025
Noun
Similar to Barcelona’s tiki-taka or Manchester City’s positional play, the Brazilians of South African football prioritize ball retention, building from the back, circulating the ball methodically, and waiting for the opportune moment to break through the opposition.
—Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
He was discovered lying face down on his bed covered in a blanket with trauma and what appeared to be a stab wound to his back, police source said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Verb
Law enforcement officers in areas primarily run by Democrats continue to flock to red states for job security, better pay and bosses who will back them up, according to one police leader.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Science backs this up: Simple expressions of warmth can lower stress hormones for both giver and receiver.
—Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Adjective
Broadly, Capital Economics says the winners from the last five years to remain the winners through the back half of the 2020s, a list that also includes Phoenix.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
This is because many large pickup trucks are used to haul trailers, which block the back license plate.
—Eleanor Nash
july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
Then, the dog can knock the bottle around to try to get the treats to fall out.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Those with expendable capital began purchasing restaurants and gyro joints, places like Greektown’s famed Greek Islands, which has been around since 1971, or the nearby Parthenon (where Kelaidis’ grandparents had their first wedding anniversary), which closed in 2016 after 48 years in business.—
Charlie Kolodziej,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Published on July 14, 2025 By Demetrius Simms Jeremy Swanson Photography Photo : Jeremy Swanson Photography Photo : Jeremy Swanson Photography A sunlit path leads to the rear of the home.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
14 July 2025
-
Flaps are attached to the rear of the wings and can be extended at takeoff and landing to expand the wing’s surface and increase lift.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Zachary Naegele, 24, was competing at the Conley Invitational in Palmetto, Florida, last week when the bull’s horn punctured his jugular, causing blood to stream out in a heart-pounding, caught-on-camera moment.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Gone are the days of Ami Cusack cutting down men without hesitation or Natalie Bolton flossing her teeth with Jason Siska’s jugular.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Let Your Expert Guide You: Your digital forensics expert should be educating you about the importance of complete data access and advocating alongside you for obtaining complete UFED files.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
The new data is already helping residents advocate for environmental justice and make informed decisions about their health.—
Youssef Rafik,
Hartford Courant,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who is associated with the Gaza Tribunal, admitted to conspiring to aid the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in 2006.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
-
To aid in future operation and prevent your window from getting stuck again, apply a spray lubricant, such as silicone spray, to the tracks.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
In psychology, rituals are known to reduce anxiety and reinforce identity, especially during change.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
In a fraction of a second, the bison goes from standing to charging, and one or more people are thrown backward or even flung into the air.—
Gabe Castro-Root,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
From July 17 to Aug. 10, the planet will appear to move backward in the night sky.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, there is a chance the feline has a soft spot for the woman's roomie.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Her husband had always had a soft spot for yams and was glad for the sudden bounty.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share