Thesaurus

back

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adverb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of back

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 earlier than the present time

that's longer back than I can remember

Synonyms for back

ago,
agone
[archaic],
since,
syne
[chiefly Scottish]

Antonyms for back

hence

2 toward the opposite direction

turned back for one last comment

Synonyms for back

Words Related to back

Near Antonyms for back

clockwise,
deasil

3 toward the rear

concert security asked the crowd to move back

Synonyms for back

Words Related to back

Near Antonyms for back

before

Antonyms for back

back

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of back (Entry 2 of 4)

1 a behind part or surface

the back of the page was blank

Synonyms for back

Antonyms for back

2 a vulnerable point

a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

Synonyms for back

Words Related to back

back

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of back (Entry 3 of 4)

1 to promote the interests or cause of

she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities

Synonyms for back

Words Related to back

Phrases Synonymous with back

Near Antonyms for back

2 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 for back

Words Related to back

sustain

Phrases Synonymous with back

Near Antonyms for back

Antonyms for back

hinder

3 to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea)

the author needs to back her thesis with more facts

Synonyms for back

Words Related to back

Near Antonyms for back

back

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of back (Entry 4 of 4)

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 for back

Words Related to back

dorsal

Near Antonyms for back

ventral

Antonyms for back

Frequently Asked Questions About back

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