1
2
as in soft spots
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 endorses
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reinforces
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of backs
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The portal has gifted Vandy its Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterback (Diego Pavia), leading pass catcher (Eli Stowers), top two defensive backs (CJ Heard and Randon Fontenette) and above-average punter (Nick Haberer).
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
To be sure, McCartney gave the audience a gust of her signature style, showing a range of looks, from boss-lady pantsuits to sultry dresses in matte or sparkly jersey, some with cutout backs and bare shoulders.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Sawdaye, 48, is currently the D-backs’ senior vice president and assistant general manager.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs.
—Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
The result backs earlier research in animals showing that environments that stimulate the brain can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Of course, that’s not universal on the Warriors’ roster, but the four men whose knees, hips, and backs the entire season rests upon have been through the ringer more than a few times.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Albin was a longtime running backs coach at Ohio.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Tim Skipper’s brother, Kelly Skipper, is the running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills — and once was the offensive coordinator at UCLA from 2001 to 2002, and running backs coach from 1998 to 2000, under former Bruins’ head honcho Bob Toledo.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Vrabel will dial up a defensive plan that backs Cam Ward into blunders.
—Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Lenovo backs the Yoga AIO with a one-year warranty.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Bullmer attempts to discredit her until Carrie, dressed as Anne, backs her up.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
The principle has been to compress space by getting their full-backs to push up the pitch and man-marking the opposition’s midfielders.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The portal has gifted Vandy its Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterback (Diego Pavia), leading pass catcher (Eli Stowers), top two defensive backs (CJ Heard and Randon Fontenette) and above-average punter (Nick Haberer).
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
To be sure, McCartney gave the audience a gust of her signature style, showing a range of looks, from boss-lady pantsuits to sultry dresses in matte or sparkly jersey, some with cutout backs and bare shoulders.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Sawdaye, 48, is currently the D-backs’ senior vice president and assistant general manager.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs.
—Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Smith might be listed behind veteran backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt on the depth chart, but the team’s overall backfield production has risen in the past few weeks and Smith is part of that renaissance.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
The result backs earlier research in animals showing that environments that stimulate the brain can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Of course, that’s not universal on the Warriors’ roster, but the four men whose knees, hips, and backs the entire season rests upon have been through the ringer more than a few times.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Albin was a longtime running backs coach at Ohio.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Tim Skipper’s brother, Kelly Skipper, is the running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills — and once was the offensive coordinator at UCLA from 2001 to 2002, and running backs coach from 1998 to 2000, under former Bruins’ head honcho Bob Toledo.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Vrabel will dial up a defensive plan that backs Cam Ward into blunders.
—Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Lenovo backs the Yoga AIO with a one-year warranty.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Bullmer attempts to discredit her until Carrie, dressed as Anne, backs her up.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
Last year’s team, in particular, needed a fire lit under their collective rears.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Power Train and Hardware Both trim levels are undergirded by a 94 kWh battery and two motors—one driving the front wheels, the other driving the rears—for all-wheel-drive capability.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Over the next few days, the eggplants sat in my crisper drawer, soft spots spreading across their skin like bruises.—
Reem Kassis,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Other signs of mold or spoilage include shriveling, leaking juice, soft spots, or an off smell.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If the board endorses his proposal, King may then decide whether to propose regulations, which the Board of Commissioners would then weigh, according to the Health Department.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The law also requires insurance plans to cover the vaccines the state endorses.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That includes the $15 billion Individuals with Disabilities Education Act program for students with disabilities and the $18 billion Title I program, which aids high-poverty schools.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
For now, researchers explain that the findings indicate that fiber not only aids digestion but can be a defender of metabolic health.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the death of Cinna is a microcosm of the play, the other moment that reinforces the importance of due process in Julius Caesar is even more compressed, lasting a mere eight lines at the start of the fourth act.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The decision reinforces due process protections for immigrants and citizens alike, curbing warrantless arrests and asserting that even federal agents must answer to the same legal standards they are sworn to uphold.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There wasn’t any tailgating at Gillette Stadium Sunday, but there were plenty of wagging tails.—
Boston Herald staff,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
With Chisholm Trail and Paschal on their tails, there really isn’t room for any errors.—
Chris Winters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Angles serves as a board member of the Plaza District Council and is a member of the Women’s Public Service Network, which advocates for women in leadership.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
-
David Loy is the legal director at the First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates for government transparency.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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