back 1 of 5

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

2 of 5

noun (1)

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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2
as in jugular
a vulnerable point a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

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back

3 of 5

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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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

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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 5

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

backer

5 of 5

noun (2)

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

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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

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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

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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
The crucial pretrial hearing was pushed back as prosecutors and defense attorneys sparred over what evidence could be presented and if cameras would be allowed in the courtroom. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Noun
In the beginning, the dog sat in the back, between the two children. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 The debate therefore should not simply be about who controls the back office. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Verb
In his view, this indicates that the US is likely to continue backing the acting president—at least for now—while prioritizing Venezuela’s stability and safeguarding its economic and oil interests. — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 The fund will primarily back seed, series A and series B startups in North America and Asia. — Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Adjective
And a third key was for Gaethje to throw jabs and get Topuria’s weight on his back foot, so Gaethje could find an opening with hooks over Topuria’s front shoulder. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 July 2026 On the Fourth of July, Evaniel Johnson said his family had gathered on his back porch in Nashville to play cards. — Travis Loller, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Noun
Longstanding Neon backers The Friedkin Group remain significant shareholders and board members. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 July 2026 If everything goes according to plan, backers can secure a VX2 Starry Ti Edition on Kickstarter for $299, while the post-campaign retail price is listed at $389. — New Atlas, 9 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
  • But grocery-price inflation is still more than double compared to two years ago.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • And High Point, a seven-home family compound built nearly a century ago by the son of Asa Candler, the founder of Coca-Cola.
    — Jennifer Peebles, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of ago
Adverb
  • Last year, the charity Oxfam noted that G7 countries, which collectively account for around 75% of all official development assistance, were set to slash their aid spending by 28% in 2026 compared to 2024 levels.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • The relaxed V-neck tank top has a pretty scalloped trim, while the stretchy shorts give you plenty of room to move around.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of around
Adverb
  • The child falls to the floor behind her, and the employee falls backward and appears to land on top of him, the video shows.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Most strategic planning starts with the offering and works backward to the customer.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of backward
Noun
  • The lightweight rooftop tent packs into a compact, readily removable package on the rear of the roof rack, expanding forward over the access hatch to create a different style of sleeper roof.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
  • The foil and keel are powered by the 800 V rear e-axle from the new Ferrari Luce and the flaps are driven by a 48 V electric motor.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 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
  • Meanwhile, Thomas continues to push the court in a more conservative direction, often writing separate decisions that advocate going further.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Only 100% participation ensures that I am informed, accountable, and able to advocate effectively on behalf of the community in every aspect of county governance.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • The league also will implant contact-sensing computer chips in each basketball to aid officials with out-of-bounds replays.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
  • When Martín is kidnapped by a monster, Cleo ventures into the jungle to rescue him, aided by an elderly witch and a naughty anteater.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 July 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • The discovery of the buckling columns launched a major effort to shore up — or reinforce — the building’s weakest points, with crews using emergency jacks and installing new steel supports.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Ship operators are favoring the Iranian route over the corridor along Oman’s coast, reinforcing the impact of the tanker attacks earlier this week, according to the trade intelligence firm Kpler.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 10 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 12 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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