back 1 of 4

adverb

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction turned back for one last comment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backward
toward the rear concert security asked the crowd to move back

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

2 of 4

noun

ˈbak How to pronounce back (audio)
1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

back

3 of 4

verb

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

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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

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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
Fathom Entertainment is taking the anniversary a step further, and plans to bring the film back to the theaters on September 17. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Increasingly, however, campaigns are taking notice, and aiming to push back. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 July 2026
Noun
The deli counter in the back prepares its own sandwiches to go along with their homemade cookies and Caesar salad, too. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 July 2026 Only let animals ride in the back if thereare no dangerous objects also in the bed, and if the weather is safe. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
Verb
Although different neighborhoods backed different teams, there was an air of unity in the stadium and at watch-parties that hadn’t been felt for a while. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 On the Democratic side, Shah is leading former broadcast journalist Marlene Galan-Woods, a candidate backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. — Saige Miller, NPR, 22 July 2026
Adjective
The Mancunian likes to lurk at the back post and is clever at nudging defenders to put them off-balance. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026 There are more players who are waiting to make an impact, and 2026 should be another strong year of defensive back play for the league. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
  1. ago
  2. around
  3. backward
  4. rear
  5. jugular
  6. advocate
  7. aid
  8. reinforce
Adverb
  • Just over a year ago, Bryan Kohberger, who was accused of killing four University of Idaho students, made a stunning courtroom admission.
    — Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Espaillat, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, set out to introduce Charlotte diners to Latin Street food such as empanadas, arepas and pupusas — dishes that were largely unfamiliar here more than a decade ago.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
Definition of ago
Adverb
  • Rewilding is taking place; around 200,000 Indigenous seedlings have been planted by lodge botanists to encourage native birds and eliminate invasive species.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • Just running around wearing cloaks, slinking into and out of castles, slicing the throats of all who cross her.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Definition of around
Adverb
  • And this isn’t the first time Armour has worked backward to make Clark the problem.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
  • Xbox, despite its increasingly haggard reputation, has announced backwards compatibility for PC.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of backward
Noun
  • Video of the conclusion of the chase was obtained by Fox11 and showed a white pickup truck speed onto a quiet residential street, smashing into objects and into the rear of a camper.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
  • Photos also show a partial central cushion that adds extra bed space by connecting the two beds toward the rear of the van.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Definition of rear
Noun
  • And then Alvarez went for the jugular with a grand slam to deep center field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Definition of jugular
Verb
  • The campaign, a joint effort with SEIU Doctors United, aims to advocate for improved working conditions, stronger patient care and better protections for academic freedom.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Star first baseman Bryce Harper has strongly advocated for aggressive trade deadline moves, suggesting the team acquire expensive veterans.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • In an interview posted by the business daily RBC, Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim said her company was discussing the possibility of tax relief and other measures with Russia authorities to aid sellers affected by attacks.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Skywatchers should look north during the darkest hours; smartphone cameras can aid in detecting faint glows.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • Audemard’s Caracas apartment building was constructed into bedrock, reinforcing it.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Producing the film has reinforced her belief that festivals should serve as more than exhibition platforms.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 24 July 2026
Definition of reinforce

Phrases Containing back

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baches
back
backache
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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on back

Nglish: Translation of back for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about back

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