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
1
as in supporter
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
backers of prison reform held a rally in front of the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing
all financial backers will be expected to offer some input into the company's decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ally
someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support
the student's backers spoke at the school board meeting on her behalf
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
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 13 May 2025
The temporary truce pulls the world's two largest economies back from the brink after trade between them nearly ground to a halt, raising recession risks in the U.S. and deepening deflationary pressures in China.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
Players took a knee as a medical cart came out for the fan who was on his back.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The organization plans to back GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound to treat obesity in adults as part of a shift in addressing the global obesity epidemic, as reported by Reuters.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Julia Ries, Health, 1 May 2025
There's even a back flap for holding you climbing helmet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Discovery is bringing the Green Lanterns back with a live-action show.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 13 May 2025
The temporary truce pulls the world's two largest economies back from the brink after trade between them nearly ground to a halt, raising recession risks in the U.S. and deepening deflationary pressures in China.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Noun
The players on the screen: Former New Orleans running backs Alvin Kamara and Darren Sproles.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
Players took a knee as a medical cart came out for the fan who was on his back.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
Half of the team had a view of a golf course that backed onto their hotel.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The organization plans to back GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound to treat obesity in adults as part of a shift in addressing the global obesity epidemic, as reported by Reuters.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Adjective
Sports bras that are too restrictive could overwork back muscles and limit breathing.
—Julia Ries, Health, 1 May 2025
There's even a back flap for holding you climbing helmet.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
The impact of Canadians turning to homegrown goods could add around 10 billion Canadian dollars to the country’s economy and hike its GDP by around 0.3 percentage points, according to research from Robert Kavcic, director of economics at BMO Capital Markets.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
The unidentified Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy was fatally struck around 1 p.m. near the university, which was hosting a graduation ceremony.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
With the third installment of the Knives Out franchise premiering this year, Rian Johnson is advocating for a theater-going experience.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
-
Beyond animation’s inclusion in the program, animation stakeholders have additionally been advocating for enhancements like a decrease in the $1 million minimum budget for eligible projects in a bid to include children’s programming, which tends to operate with smaller budgets than adult animation.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
On Monday, a federal judge declined to block the Internal Revenue Service from sharing some kinds of immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to aid deportation efforts.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
13 May 2025
-
The organizers of last year’s campus protests have said their goals were to convince university leaders to divest endowments of connections to weapons companies aiding Israel’s war efforts.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
When financial literacy and empowerment are neglected, wealth-building opportunities slip through the cracks, reinforcing the cycle of instability.—
Shay Levister,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Rising protectionism fueled by a populist backlash to globalization, a post-pandemic push for economic security reinforced by the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and, above all, intensifying U.S.-Chinese strategic rivalry converged to shatter the illusion of a global tech ecosystem.—
Ian Bremmer,
Foreign Affairs,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The impact caused the rear door of Santiago’s SUV to open, spilling a 43-year-old Zion man to the ground and causing serious injury, police said.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2025
-
The active rear spoiler, for example, is able to move between low- and high-drag modes more quickly, and there is a new medium-drag mode, too, which helps push the car down to the track at higher speeds.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
After letting go of the ball, Vásquez tripped and tried to steady himself over the course of many steps backward before giving in and somersaulting backward in the grass in foul territory.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 May 2025
-
The bear was inches away when Nelson fell backward, uphill.—
Benjamin Alva Polley,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, publicly endorsed the U.S. plan Sunday and called on countries and aid groups to cooperate.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
11 May 2025
-
Stop the stop-and-frisk — a tactic Bratton endorsed — replace it with stop-and-chat, and get to know everyone on your beat.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
Mac Allister anticipates and intercepts a Lewis Hall pass before clipping a perfectly weighted ball ahead of Salah, who assists the Jones goal that makes it 1-1.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
-
The revelation that China is assisting the Houthis, a Yemeni terrorist group that has been stymying the movement of goods throughout the Red Sea, has been interpreted in various ways.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
9 May 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 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share