BACKS Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

backs 1 of 2

noun

plural of back

as in rears

a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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as in soft spots

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

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backs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of back

as in endorses

to promote the interests or cause of she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities

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as in aids

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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as in reinforces

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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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 backs

Noun

When Jason Larimore came out as gay in 1994 in small-town Kentucky, almost everyone in his life turned their backs on him except his mom — and Dolly Parton. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Dallas cleaned house on the defensive coaching staff, hiring 34-year-old defensive backs coach Christian Parker from Philadelphia as their new coordinator. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 As for freshman running backs Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, Denbrock complimented the four-star prospects’ potential while also throwing cold water on expectations for them this early in their careers. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The high volume of give-backs is proof that the current sizing system is no longer accurate or effective. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 The Pasadena native grew up around the program and attended UCLA games at the Rose Bowl, where his dad, Demetrice Martin, was the defensive backs coach from 2012-2017. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Juancarlos Payano anchors the defensive front line, while standout defensive backs Evan Sorkness and Solomon are also back, along with linebacker Davin Scott. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Those include junior running backs Jaquel Edmonds and Jorden Moore, who combined to rush for 1,493 yards and 15 TDs, and senior wide receivers Kyron Hart, who made 38 catches for 761 yards and eight TDs, and Michael Pierre. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Admittedly, this scribe has waxed lovingly about way too many Broncos backs over the years. — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Zetter Bloomsbury is spread across six of these townhouses, complete with an expansive, secret courtyard that backs directly onto the British Museum. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 That style of coaching is one of the reasons that new running backs coach Antonio Wilcox followed Sammis from UConn to Fort Worth. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026 The Pentagon's own data backs that up too, with financial compensation and benefits ranking as a top reason for joining the military. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 It should also be sealed in a holder made by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), which grades and backs coins. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026 American Heritage head coach Mike Smith was the school’s running backs coach when Fletcher joined the varsity team as an eighth grader. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 Hermann Hauser co-founded Acorn Computers in 1978, helped create Arm — one of the world’s most critical chip companies — and today backs some of Europe’s most important deep-tech startups through Amadeus Capital. — Arjun Kharpal,kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 First-year Georgia Tech running backs coach Jimmy Smith did just that in one offseason. — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs

Noun

When justice recedes, revenge rears its bloodstained head.

— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
So, the most damaging scandal of Starmer’s premiership rears its head again at a profoundly unstable time for the government.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of rears

Noun

Other common causes of soft spots include bruising during transport or storage, or improper storage.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Papayas that are mostly green are not ripe, while those with many soft spots or darker, shriveled skin are overripe or spoiled.

— Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft spots

Verb

The Ocean Between Them costars Riverdale’s Karl Walcott, and Dane appears as Ashley, Joan’s youngest daughter, who aids her in the search.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026
Under Nevada law, someone who aids or abets a crime—or encourages, hires, commands, or otherwise induces another person to commit it—can be prosecuted as a principal.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of aids

Verb

The data reinforces the stark need for action along these lines, as do the tragic stories of far too many first responders who have made significant sacrifices for their communities and are met with newfound dangers for their troubles.

— Sen. Saud Anwar, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
The material produced by the league so far, according to the filing, reinforces the necessity of complete transparency.

— Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Noun

Katharina Fritsch’s giant sculpture Rat-King (1993) refers to the strange phenomenon of a group of rodents getting bound together through an accidental intertwining of their tails.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The campaign teaches the kiddos that mayors in purple tails and top hats are not always the big bads to the animal kingdom.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of tails

Verb

Kushner is on the board of Sharsheret, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Jewish breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer patients — and their families — in the United States and Israel.

— Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
In one video, creator Deborah Wanjala advocates for the viral Abbey Yung hair method, displaying her years-in-the-making product arsenal packed with Amika, Living Proof, K18, and Redken alongside drugstore brands like Dove and Pantene.

— Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026