back 1 of 5

1
as in ago
earlier than the present time that's longer back than I can remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Tom Bergeron is, surprisingly, headed back to the ballroom. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025 From there, the tool offers up five colors, with explanations for how each suits the theme or prompt and links back to further information about those colors and their importance. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
His first bullet grazed the president’s arm, but the second bullet struck Garfield in his lower back. Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025 Rob counted ransom money, his back turned. Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
The criticism came from fans who felt the prince should’ve backed a team from a Commonwealth country rather than his new home base in California. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025 And by backing Lula, the winner, against Bolsonaro’s claims that the elections were rigged. Ron Kampeas, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The gap under the back door meant the kitchen had an Arctic climate in the winter and a slug infestation all year round. Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025 Twice early in the second half, Minteh provided teasing inswinging crosses to the back post for Gomez, who met the first of those, but with a poor connection. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Chief among Grant’s backers is Roscoe Conkling (Shea Whigham), a New York senator who benefits from the federal money funneled through the port and various other political favors. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025 That said, its backers are looking for a sense of originality and roots. John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • The storied choice between socialism and barbarism was made exquisitely clear a good many years ago in the United States, and both major parties chose barbarism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • And JCPenney shed hundreds of stores in its 2020 bankruptcy and is now down to 650 locations, from 1,100 a decade ago.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Most of his wealth is in original Class A shares, which currently trade around $750,000 each.
    , CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
  • However, leave it to one of the biggest heels around, Dominik Mysterio, to interrupt the proceedings.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Suarez, who watched the game from the stands, was suspended for an incident involving Nashville defender Andy Najar in Game 2 of the series when Suarez kicked his right leg backwards into Najar’s midsection.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Now, industry eyerolling at the thought of listening faster has existed since the majority of audio storytelling moved from terrestrial radio—where there’s no skipping, scrubbing forward or backward, and certainly no way to speed things up—to podcasting.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After the defeat, Barr co-founded the nonprofit Can’t Win Victory Fund to support other long-shot candidates and advocate against gerrymandering.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Manzano was one of the first Latinas on a national television show and has spent her career advocating for diversity on television.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The album’s first-week sales were aided by its availability across six vinyl variants (including one signed), four CD variants (one signed) and a standard digital download album (all with the same tracklist).
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Spirits Spirits are disembodied beings who are occasionally called upon to aid specific humans (usually witches), but can sometimes become harmful.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The initiative is structured around three sequential and mutually reinforcing workstreams that aim to accelerate lowering emissions, boosting efficiency and building long-term resilience.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • With adaptations like a 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank, the Airbus A350-1000ULR will be able to fly for up to 22 hours straight.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The 55 Sport Yacht also has a spacious rear cockpit with a table and facing lounges, barstools outside of a window that slides open in the cockpit, and a foredeck lounge and table for up-front dining.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Cincinnati charged back from a 31-10 second-quarter deficit, down 44-38 with about 90 seconds left.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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