1
2
3
as in backward
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
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
In a statement, a White House official pushed back on Weiser’s characterization.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The back and sides of the housing are now anti-slip, to prevent sweaty hands losing purchase during a quick tune up at the venue.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump on late Thursday called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026
Susan says the items in the front of the oven would get undercooked and the back items would burn.
—Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, his vetoes had the effect of punishing backers who had opposed the president’s positions on other issues.
—Kevin Freking, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
In a statement, a White House official pushed back on Weiser’s characterization.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
That doesn't mean there's nothing exciting coming Buck's way in the back half of season 9.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The back and sides of the housing are now anti-slip, to prevent sweaty hands losing purchase during a quick tune up at the venue.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Political gamesmanship This week, council members were accused of trying to replace their current coordinator, Laurent Saint-Cyr, who did not back attempts to get rid of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump on late Thursday called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
With the back strap pushed forward in relaxed mode (versus sport mode when the strap is in back), Jeanty exuded a laidback aura.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026
Susan says the items in the front of the oven would get undercooked and the back items would burn.
—Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been his most high-profile backer.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Ultimately, his vetoes had the effect of punishing backers who had opposed the president’s positions on other issues.
—Kevin Freking, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
But a few weeks ago, one resident decided to look past the spectacle.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the biggest galaxies in the universe stopped making stars billions of years ago, and even today, no one fully understands why.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Keep Leaves Dust-Free Plants can’t photosynthesize effectively if their leaves are covered in dirt and dust, which is all too common in winter when fireplaces and heating units move dust around.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
My child attended daycare and summer programs at Pillsbury United Communities center just four blocks away, where a multiracial cohort of kids happily play through the winter, swishing around in bulky jackets and snow pants, bouncing towards their parents.—
Bao Phi,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The service Service here is top notch, with the front desk and concierge bending over backwards to make guests happy.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
-
All that progress rolls backward if males can take spots on both men’s and women’s teams; this torpedoes Title IX and hijacks women’s sports.—
Alanna Smith,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Local residents have advocated for a more permanent solution to the violent elephant encounters, and for the families of the deceased to be compensated.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Department of Angels is a nonprofit organization that advocates for wildfire survivors.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But aiding Capote with his work was different.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Maduro was aided substantially by Cuban intelligence officers, who helped root out threats to his rule.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The word edgy is often mistakenly applied to comedians whose work just reinforces conventional opinions and prejudices with extra swear words.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
-
January has just begun, and Moore is already reinforcing her icon status.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The second thing is the rear wall.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Their drive extended when Jalen Hurts found Dallas Geodert to convert a fourth down for the third time on the day.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of the year, the Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which measures views of the economy and its future, stood at a whopping negative 33, down nearly 20 points since spring.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
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 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share