back 1 of 4

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 4

noun

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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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 4

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 4

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

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 frantic match finished 1-0 after LAFC center back Ryan Porteous was called for a handball in the box while defending a corner kick. — Josh Gross, Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026 His strong film put him back on the Cowboys’ radar, but this time as a potential addition. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
In 1984, Sports Illustrated devoted its sprawling back-of-the-book feature to Brent Musburger, who became a staple of the American sports diet with his work on CBS’ studio show, The NFL Today. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026 On Tuesday, the specialty fashion retailer rooted in youth culture launched its sixth Rare DNM Edit collection in time for back-to-school. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Huang said the company may provide residual-value support of up to 25% for some projects—effectively promising some protection against the possibility that the chips backing a financing are worth much less in the future than lenders expected. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 Crowley leads 47% to 44%, according to the poll by Protect Our Wisconsin, a group backed by the Democratic Governors Association. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s back line and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 The journey to your sandwich Ham starts out as the back leg of a pig. — Anna Dilger, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 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
  • Police said Brown is from Alabama and has an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant connected to a case there involving similar circumstances about five years ago.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ago
Adverb
  • Due to the rising cost of living, many workers are now only able to afford their living expenses for around eight days in each month, according to Faramarz Toufighi, a Labor activist cited in the ILNA report.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Separately, Google parent Alphabet is now the third largest holding of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio, with data suggesting Berkshire bought around $7 billion of Alphabet shares on the open market.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of around
Adverb
  • Fifteen years ago, this timeline would have felt backwards, but this is largely how modern sports transactions unfold today.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But the rappers reaching backward now are often pulling from a different archive.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of backward
Noun
  • Spurs are on four, Arsenal and Manchester United have three apiece while Liverpool bring up the rear on two but, of course, one of those was the British-record signing of Isak from Newcastle.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Inside the vehicle, the front and extended rear are both covered in Stormy Weather Nappa leather with porcelain contrast stitching.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 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
  • In the two years since the accident, Alicia, 35, has taken on the role of caregiver for her 37-year-old husband, supporting his therapy exercises, managing appointments and advocating for him within the medical system.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Immigration advocates’ concerns about this second contract announcement focussed on whether the organization was capable of filling that gap.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • The man was charged Monday with aiding an enemy state and violating the Military Base and Installations Protection Act.
    — Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of law enforcement agencies in 49 states can search and share Flock’s data across jurisdictions to aid their investigations.
    — Sarah Rankin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • The buffers that have minimized the disruption so far will hold for only so long and must be reinforced if the world is to endure future shocks.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Human-scale FloatForms will require reinforced and even mechanically interlocked latches as well as GPS or visual sensing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 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 18 Aug. 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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