1
2
3
as in backward
toward the rear
concert security asked the crowd to move back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of back
David Wade, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Based on the audio, the agent appeared to have fired some less than lethal rounds toward the crowd, as some protesters quickly move back.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The back and sides of the housing are now anti-slip, to prevent sweaty hands losing purchase during a quick tune up at the venue.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump on late Thursday called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Patrick Franco, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
This easy tortilla soup recipe is worth keeping in your back pocket for busy weeknights.
—Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
The waves crash along the rocks as grass in the dunes sway back in forth in the cool breeze.
—David Wade, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Based on the audio, the agent appeared to have fired some less than lethal rounds toward the crowd, as some protesters quickly move back.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
That doesn't mean there's nothing exciting coming Buck's way in the back half of season 9.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The back and sides of the housing are now anti-slip, to prevent sweaty hands losing purchase during a quick tune up at the venue.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Political gamesmanship This week, council members were accused of trying to replace their current coordinator, Laurent Saint-Cyr, who did not back attempts to get rid of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump on late Thursday called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, similar to how the Fed in the past has bought bonds backed by mortgages to bring down mortgage rates.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Lunges lengthen these muscles, supporting better posture and helping prevent low back pain.
—Patrick Franco, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
This easy tortilla soup recipe is worth keeping in your back pocket for busy weeknights.
—Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
But a few weeks ago, one resident decided to look past the spectacle.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the biggest galaxies in the universe stopped making stars billions of years ago, and even today, no one fully understands why.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Keep Leaves Dust-Free Plants can’t photosynthesize effectively if their leaves are covered in dirt and dust, which is all too common in winter when fireplaces and heating units move dust around.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
My child attended daycare and summer programs at Pillsbury United Communities center just four blocks away, where a multiracial cohort of kids happily play through the winter, swishing around in bulky jackets and snow pants, bouncing towards their parents.—
Bao Phi,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The service Service here is top notch, with the front desk and concierge bending over backwards to make guests happy.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
-
All that progress rolls backward if males can take spots on both men’s and women’s teams; this torpedoes Title IX and hijacks women’s sports.—
Alanna Smith,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While one of the Black girls moved toward the rear, Colvin refused and was arrested.—
Adam Carlson,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In comparison to older Westfalia Americas camper vans, the Wave For 2 loses the two-seat rear dining bench, reconfiguring the floor plan into a proper two-seater.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The actress manages to pull this off with subtlety and grace in a movie that could have easily gone straight for the emotional jugular.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Two months before Twilight kicked off the glittery vampire craze, Alan Ball’s True Blood had already put an original, sexy spin on the jugular-draining genre.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Local residents have advocated for a more permanent solution to the violent elephant encounters, and for the families of the deceased to be compensated.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Department of Angels is a nonprofit organization that advocates for wildfire survivors.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But aiding Capote with his work was different.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Maduro was aided substantially by Cuban intelligence officers, who helped root out threats to his rule.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The word edgy is often mistakenly applied to comedians whose work just reinforces conventional opinions and prejudices with extra swear words.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
-
January has just begun, and Moore is already reinforcing her icon status.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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