back 1 of 5

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
3

back

2 of 5

noun (1)

1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
2
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
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

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 Menopause Society has sought to bring nuance back into the conversation around hormone replacement therapy. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025 The series, which debuted its second season back in January, currently has 25 episodes available to stream. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
To complete the island experience, grab a table in the garden, or sit inside to admire their take on traditional décor, with wine barrels and a mural of a Greek village along the back wall. Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025 From Eufy to Shark to Roborock, there are some seriously good deals here that will save your back and your weekends. PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Each routinely backs the Democratic Party line in their respective chambers of Congress. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025 As such, Girls Supports Girls has enlisted some major sponsors to back the event, including the French film and TV promotion org Unifrance, the Canal+ foundation and Canal+ University, Transpalux, the French Institute in Rwanda and the org CineFemmes Rwanda. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
These have a wide elastic waistband, a faux fly, front and back pockets, and belt loops. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025 The case is spacious, with a mesh front panel that spotlights a pair of aRGB fans that keep everything cool, and the back panel has tons of ports. PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Trump dropped a pending Securities and Exchange lawsuit against his key financial backer Binance that claimed the company was misleading its customers and diverting their funds. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025 Frank’s backers included venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg. CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • The inside of the entirely wooden house captures what life was like in early Fort Lauderdale over 100 years ago.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement An investigation led by the Guardian found in September that out of the 6,000 Palestinians from Gaza held by Israel since the Hamas terror attack two years ago, only one quarter were held on suspicion of militant links.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Her favorite ways to move around are by train and bike, and her backpack always has nuts, clementines, and something to read.
    Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin have been around for about half of the franchise’s existence — two long-time pillars on the back end.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The commonwealth has been without an operational freestanding birthing center since the 1980s, said Mary Kathryn DeLodder, director of the Kentucky Birth Coalition — a grassroots organization that led the charge in advocating for legislation loosening regulations for the facilities.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Ascension Saint Thomas President and CEO Fahad Tahir is among many local health care leaders advocating for Congress to extend the tax credits.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s little blood supply in that area to aid the healing process.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Colorado had a chance to retake the lead after Salter led the offense down to the TCU 2-yard line, aided by a controversial pass interference call on Vernon Glover on third down.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The clutch start in the regional only reinforced it.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Wooden vessels for polar exploration typically reinforced the hulls internally with diagonal support beams, which braced the sides of the ship against lateral compression from powerful sea ice, said Tuhkuri, who researches the mechanics of ice.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This comes after Williams suffered a car fire when Alex Albon’s machine was affected by a rear-brake issue.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The rear seat accommodates five, comfortable for four adults.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Video shows the two appear to have an interaction back at the driver's side door after Sanchez follows the man, who is seen walking backwards away from him.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Security footage then showed the driver walking backward away from the former quarterback, who followed him, the Indy Star reported.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse any individuals or entities featured on the episodes.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The United States has hiked tariffs to the highest level since the Great Depression, and Japan’s incoming prime minister has endorsed lower interest rates and higher borrowing.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

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