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
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Few might have imagined that the touchscreen technology that rules the world of devices today was actually ideated back in the 1960s.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
His chronic back condition was still clearly an issue last spring, leading to him being left off the opening day roster.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
The blueprint involves scaling back to a monthly publication and implementing a hybrid business model where the Reader reverts to a for-profit newspaper, backed by philanthropic support.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Archaeologists have traced the cultivation of the date palm—also known as Phoenix dactylifera—back millennia.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
Paramount backer RedBird Capital took exception to that — read that back-and-forth here.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
With their former star available, Robert Kraft decided to dismiss Mayo and bring Vrabel back to New England.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Few might have imagined that the touchscreen technology that rules the world of devices today was actually ideated back in the 1960s.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The country is also weighing a potential $7 billion lease and lease-back deal for its crude oil pipeline network — following similar moves in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent years.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
His chronic back condition was still clearly an issue last spring, leading to him being left off the opening day roster.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Winfrey isn’t the only fan of the kicks—they’re backed by podiatrists thanks to their ample arch support, plush insoles, and all-around comfort.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
The blueprint involves scaling back to a monthly publication and implementing a hybrid business model where the Reader reverts to a for-profit newspaper, backed by philanthropic support.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The visit concluded with Catherine sewing a back pocket onto a pair of the brand’s men’s Hack jeans as a gift for the Prince of Wales.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026
Archaeologists have traced the cultivation of the date palm—also known as Phoenix dactylifera—back millennia.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
But backers under 6-feet, 240 are outliers, not the norm.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
Paramount backer RedBird Capital took exception to that — read that back-and-forth here.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
Sullivan, raised in Massachusetts and now based in New York, started her gallery as a hybrid space straddling the worlds of decorative arts and fine art, of things made yesterday and over a century ago.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Some years ago, The Andrea, a seasonal seafood restaurant on the west end of Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, posted a black-and-white photo on Facebook showing a line of cars buried in the sand.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That would put a dent in downtown’s office vacancy rate, which has hovered around 38% lately, according to CBRE.—
Jon Murray,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But even though modern-day antidepressants have been around for decades — the Food and Drug Administration approved Prozac for depression treatment in 1987 — there is very little information about long-term use.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
But one of the punches knocked Miller’s head backward, and his hairpiece popped upward from the front, revealing a large bald spot that covered most of his head.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
-
One of the punches knocked Miller’s head backward and his hairpiece popped upward from the front.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September while speaking at a Utah university, established Turning Point USA in 2012 to encourage young people to engage in free speech and advocate for conservative policies.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The letter goes on to also advocate for more long-term investments in making transit a reliable means of getting to San Diego’s most popular destinations.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
She was also charged with concealing and aiding a fugitive, but that charge was later dropped.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Choose Iowa gives food banks more options A state program bringing together farmers and consumers also has played a role in aiding food banks.—
F. Amanda Tugade,
Des Moines Register,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These tubes can also reinforce polymers or metals while maintaining conductivity.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Police said the suspect or suspects tried to get in through the basement window and rear door of the home, but didn't succeed.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As far as rider aids are concerned, throttle-by-wire, cruise control, ABS, and rear-cylinder deactivation are included as standard – nothing that stands out here.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
That process began by Pidgeon working closely with the movement coach Julia Crockett to get some of her mannerisms down.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That’s down by one week and about 880 million minutes of watch time compared to the first season in 2024.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 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 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
