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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.
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Recent Examples of back
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
The man managed to retrieve the phone and climb back onto the walkway without being injured.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
In his exclusive interview with ESPN, Peterson shouted out former KU players Bryson Tiller and Melvin Council for having his back.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Débora Rey, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The singular jazz ensemble The Curhachestra is led by a trombonist, backed by lap steel guitar, electric bass and drums.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 11 June 2026
Heath inspectors observed several dead American roaches under the soda fountain and in the back utility closet.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
When the first round of seats were up for election in 2024, backers poured in over $13 million.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Madrigal hit a bouncer back to the pitcher.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
The man managed to retrieve the phone and climb back onto the walkway without being injured.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
Investigators found multiple bullet holes in the Silverado’s tailgate and back windshield, the affidavit states.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
In his exclusive interview with ESPN, Peterson shouted out former KU players Bryson Tiller and Melvin Council for having his back.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Verb
Right backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are dealing with muscle injuries as is midfielder Leandro Paredes.
—Débora Rey, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The singular jazz ensemble The Curhachestra is led by a trombonist, backed by lap steel guitar, electric bass and drums.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Adjective
As a center back, Richards plays a sort of middle-linebacker role on defense, in charge of seeing the entire field and shouting directions at his fellow back-line players.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 11 June 2026
Heath inspectors observed several dead American roaches under the soda fountain and in the back utility closet.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026
Noun
The question is whether the companies now being priced like rare assets are the steady, dull cash machines their backers describe, or a private-market markup the public market has already started to question.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
When the first round of seats were up for election in 2024, backers poured in over $13 million.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
The journey to this point began almost a century ago and hundreds of miles away in China, when Mao Zedong reshaped Marxist–Leninist theory to fit the pre-industrial conditions of his country.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Snell underwent surgery 10 days ago to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
And Xi’s remarks this time around were also missing a key phrase.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
In fourth place, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos remains a favorite for celebrities seeking privacy, while Tulum rounds out the top five, and stands out as one of the more affordable luxury beach destinations, with five-star hotels averaging around $240 per night.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
As the aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
Fans saw the trucks jump high into the air, drift around tight turns, smash into vehicles and perform hit backwards wheelies.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
According to the transcript, a crew member had recovered it from a trash bin near the rear of the ship, on the starboard side.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
The resulting sound field is large and front-facing, and precise enough to make up for the lack of rear-facing speakers.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Anyone familiar with a roast expects the comedians to go for the jugular, but when someone with actual grooming allegations gets called a pedophile, one questions whether the punchline really was meant to be a joke.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
-
Wolf packs on the hunt encircled their prey—typically elk—clamping at the jugular when their target grew weary from the chase.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With multiple lawsuits and an impending Supreme Court ruling poised to shape TPS nationwide, advocates hail the Lebanese extension but warn that hundreds of thousands still lack a permanent solution.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Even as a non-member, I’ve been actively engaged in advocating for our community, pushing for stronger mitigation for small businesses, better communication with residents, and a more balanced approach that considers both the importance of transportation and resident needs.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 inked a mutual defense treaty, and North Korea has provided thousands of soldiers and munitions to aid Russia’s war on Ukraine, a development that’s alarmed a West wary of a growing alignment between Pyongyang, Moscow and Beijing.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Now a botanist and apothecary, Cadfael aids the local sheriff in solving all manner of crimes committed in and near Shrewsbury Abbey during England’s 15-year civil war known now as the Anarchy.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The result is a relentless flood of advice that derives its authority not from expertise but from personal testimony, endlessly reinforcing the idea that your feelings are your most important parenting instrument.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Choose the modest fix that reduces strain, then let that improvement reinforce the larger plan.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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