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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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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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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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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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

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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
Well, that and Sam Bennett then fighting Andrei Svechnikov, who had purposely thumped Sergei Bobrovsky’s head back in Game 1. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025 He was ordered to pay back $9,402,678 in restitution and serve 10 years on probation. Jennifer Sangalang, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Noun
His muscles shrunk after the ejections, and will calcify, leading to muscle knotting in his back. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 May 2025 Díaz sprang from behind the plate, picked up the ball on the line with his back to first base, spun and threw out Murphy by a step. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
Verb
By losing some of its arrogant charm, Doom has also lost the means to back it up. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025 Pave Investments — an African private investment firm that backs platforms creating opportunities to develop and support African talent globally, such as Tems’ company, The Leading Vibe — reached out to her camp with the opportunity to join the San Diego FC ownership group. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 14 May 2025
Adjective
One of the selling points of waterbeds was that sleeping on one helped ease pressure points and could reduce back pain, especially when compared to a traditional mattress. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025 Pizza Alley never reopened, however, and Sargent was later sued by the Colorado Department of Revenue for back taxes. Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • Some 200 reporters milled around near the Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus that the Russians had specified as the talks venue.
    Tom Balmforth, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • There was a whole bunch of people around in a busy restaurant.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • After much speculation as to whether the two leaders would engage in a face-to-face meeting—something Zelensky advocated for, on the condition that a cease-fire would be agreed to prior—the two did not meet.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 17 May 2025
  • Key members of the DevOps team unit, dedicated and qualified unit testing professionals will still advocate the need for an additional layer of testing.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • She was aided on the DeLeon groundout by a spectacular play by Karlie Davison at second base, who laid out to field the ball and made a strong throw to beat the runner to first.
    Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
  • On May 22, a third woman was charged for aiding two of the 10 inmates who escaped from the jail known as the Orleans Justice Center, according to police.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
  • That reinforces the original (or last) experience the customer had with you.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Porto found traces of DNA from three people, including O'Keefe, on the outside of Read’s right rear taillight and on multiple pieces of O’Keefe’s clothing.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The man was not injured, though troopers found multiple bullet holes in his vehicle, which shattered the rear windshield.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025
Adverb
  • There’s a chance Moses’ play takes a meaningful step backward at age 34 and in a brand-new offense.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • What emerged from this great leap backward was a diverse efflorescence of art that directly addressed the very things the church ignored.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump recounted his political alliance with Kennedy, a former Democrat and the nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy, who dropped his longshot independent campaign for president and endorsed the GOP candidate.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • During a news conference before the vote, Mayor Melvin Carter voiced his support for the new names, which were recommended by Minnesota’s Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and endorsed by the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Commission.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • At first, caring for her mom meant reminding her to turn off the stove after cooking and assisting with the laundry.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Indiana leads the postseason in 2-point shooting (56.5 percent), 3-point shooting (40.6 percent) and assisted buckets (29.7 per game).
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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