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
In May, Mac moved back to our house for the summer with our 18-year-old daughter, who had just finished her first year of college. Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025 Battlefield 6 brings the series back to the modern era for the first time since 2015’s Battlefield Hardline. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Noun
But by the time the city's deadline rolls around, Perez will have lived two months without hot water and a faulty back door. Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025 In addition, some vehicles only have to display a back plate, like historic vehicles and motorcycles. Eleanor Nash july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Verb
Stewart backed their rote enthusiasm with white-boy disco-dance moves and gesticulations modeled after Colbert’s clowning on his own show. Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025 The decision came on the same day DeSantis publicly backed his ally for the CEO job at Visit Florida. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Adjective
Police nearby warned media that anyone caught loitering near the back entrance would be arrested. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2025 Odin's head is actually upside down, under the outstretched paws, one of which goes over his back paw, under the end of his tail. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • Police records describe violence, a chaotic scene Officers responded to the shooting around 10 p.m. after witnesses reported the incident to airport dispatchers.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 27 July 2025
  • On top of the bathroom problems, the man says the kitchen is also a nightmare thanks to Jerry and Daisy, who leave dirty dishes around.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • Jennings advocates that renters get renters’ insurance and that building owners make sump pumps available to renters, because the owners must give permission for residents to apply for the state’s grant program that covered repairs and backflow preventers for homeowners.
    Julianna D’Addona, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025
  • Some Democrats, who for years have advocated for nonpartisan redistricting, say the party should respond in kind to GOP efforts.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in the day, Gabbard shared a declassified House Intelligence Committee report, which found the United States intelligence community had no direct evidence Russia wanted to aid President Donald Trump in the 2016 election despite it pushing the claim under Obama’s direction.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 2025
  • With that in mind, the company is working to deploy four super agents—one that’s geared toward customers, another that aids associates, a third that works alongside developers and a fourth that targets Walmart’s partners.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • As governments and large enterprises modernize their finance systems, there’s growing momentum to move beyond simple cloud migration—to embed AI in ways that reinforce trust.
    Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • This response reinforces the narrative that has defined her post-WWE career.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Don't worry, Hyundai is launching a new line of N Performance parts, enabling buyers to swap on a positively massive rear wing that follows the trend of gooseneck mounting, a design popularized by modern GT racing.
    Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
  • Front and back seat room is spacious, with the ride particularly smooth for rear seat occupants.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Adverb
  • In a fraction of a second, the bison goes from standing to charging, and one or more people are thrown backward or even flung into the air.
    Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 22 July 2025
  • From July 17 to Aug. 10, the planet will appear to move backward in the night sky.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Thune did endorse more oversight of the Fed’s renovations.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
  • Biden ultimately dropped out and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee less than four weeks later on July 21, 2024.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Public health workers recommend individuals, businesses, and other organizations carry the drug to assist in an emergency.
    Christina Lengyel, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2025
  • The sheriff’s office said 2,200 people from multiple agencies have been deployed to assist in the recovery efforts.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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