back 1 of 4

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

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2
3

back

2 of 4

noun

1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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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
2
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 new No 9? Referring back to the jigsaw puzzle, a Darwin Nunez exit and no striker incoming makes Wirtz playing as a false nine more probable. Andy Jones, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Two additional ill individuals purchased chicken fettuccine alfredo products that could be traced back to FreshRealm establishments, according to FSIS. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 18 June 2025
Noun
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 That, and the fact that she’s had a lifelong battle with a bad back. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 June 2025
Verb
Share it consistently through talks, X posts or articles, backed by real results. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025 Rutte has publicly backed the peace talks that grew out of Trump’s view of himself as a dealmaker, and have at times raised alarm among others in NATO. Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
Adjective
In 1989, seven years after the band split, Sweden Music, the publisher of ABBA’s songs, was sold to PolyGram, with the expectation that the back catalogue would sell dependably but modestly. Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 18 June 2025 Perfect for a vanity, living room, or anywhere that could use additional seating, this upholstered throne has earned over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon for its softness, back support and ease of assembly. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • The size of the market was around $1.5 trillion in 2024, according to Morgan Stanley.
    Spriha Srivastava,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 20 June 2025
  • Seager is at the center of what is fast becoming a crisis for a team that should be a contender, a point that Bochy delicately stepped around before Thursday’s game.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Photo : Open Homes Photography An aerial view of its rear.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
  • The rear of the Eversolo Play has a Trigger In port for synchronizing system control with other HiFi components.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 20 June 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
  • Ward's responsibilities will focus on enhancing market access, advocating for trade policies that benefit U.S. agriculture and developing international partnerships to promote the region's diverse agricultural products.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • While some lawmakers advocated for the move, others — including some of the president’s most vocal supporters on the right-flank — pushed against the U.S. directly getting involved in the conflict.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The win was aided by Acuña’s spectacular ninth-inning catch of a Pete Alonso fly ball to start a double play, and ended with Austin Riley’s walk-off sacrifice fly to the center-field wall in the 10th inning.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • Both Elba and Nas stand as executive producers, with seasoned British-Nigerian director Meji Alabi aiding with execution.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The Verve Therapeutics acquisition reinforces Eli Lilly’s position as an attractive investment opportunity, supported by strong demand for its obesity treatments and successful diversification into high-potential therapeutic areas.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • That comes after Trump has broadly praised Israel's aggressive campaign against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, reinforcing a hawkish stance that bolsters Israel's right-wing leadership in its operations—not only against Iran but also in Gaza and the West Bank.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adverb
  • Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the tale of Benjamin Button, who is born with the appearance and strength of an elderly man and ultimately ages backward into infancy.
    Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025
  • Since neutrinos don’t interact with much of anything, researchers should be able to trace their direction of travel backward to their point of origin, likely a super-powerful cosmic event.
    Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • In reality, the 64-year-old actress has a soft spot for senior dogs.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 2025
  • McKinney Between 35 to 50 minutes from Dallas McKinney, Texas, has a little something for everybody, starting with those with a soft spot for charming downtowns.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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