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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backs
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
While many around the world may only recall the images of houses underwater and families carrying each other on their backs and in their arms seeking shelter, survivors like New Orleans artist and performer at the 20th Annual Commemoration event, Allay Earhart, still relive that day vividly.
—Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Among the running backs, Rodney Hill and AJ Green were next in line with three carries apiece for 13 and 11 yards, respectively.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
Images of people marching en masse along highways, carrying their possessions on their backs, are among the most enduring of modern Europe.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Necks swoop and hips and lower backs undulate in ways that traditional ballet never demands.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Watch Saturday Night on Netflix Set It Up Two assistants scheme to set up their respective demanding bosses to get them off their backs.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
One of those weapons is running back Savion Red, who led Nevada backs in rushing last season.
—Joe Davidosn, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Indianapolis also added defensive backs Mekhi Blackmon and Cam Bynum in hopes of trying to lock up some of the top stars that litter the AFC South.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The Pixel 10 series ships with Android 16 and Google backs the phones with seven years of OS updates, security fixes, and feature drops.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Spotting and group torching is observed as the fire moves into timber stands to the North and backs into the North Fork of the Kings River to the east.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And both backs figure to get plenty of opportunities again this week against Eastern Washington.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2025
Simmons said running backs coach Benedick Hyppolite controls the rotation.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
The streamer and distributor accepted a $100 million investment from a company that also backs Kela, a defense startup founded in 2024 by Israeli intelligence veterans after the October 7 terrorist attacks.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The data backs this up more than expected.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Choose a message that backs your reinvention as Uranus aligns with Neptune.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
One of these is Trent Alexander-Arnold but, as The Athletic has reported, a position change to midfield was not discussed in depth during the process of his transfer from Liverpool as Madrid saw him as one of the best right-backs in the world.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
While many around the world may only recall the images of houses underwater and families carrying each other on their backs and in their arms seeking shelter, survivors like New Orleans artist and performer at the 20th Annual Commemoration event, Allay Earhart, still relive that day vividly.
—Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Among the running backs, Rodney Hill and AJ Green were next in line with three carries apiece for 13 and 11 yards, respectively.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
Images of people marching en masse along highways, carrying their possessions on their backs, are among the most enduring of modern Europe.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Necks swoop and hips and lower backs undulate in ways that traditional ballet never demands.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Watch Saturday Night on Netflix Set It Up Two assistants scheme to set up their respective demanding bosses to get them off their backs.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
One of those weapons is running back Savion Red, who led Nevada backs in rushing last season.
—Joe Davidosn, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Indianapolis also added defensive backs Mekhi Blackmon and Cam Bynum in hopes of trying to lock up some of the top stars that litter the AFC South.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Senior libero Ryleigh Connor knows Parrish has her teammates’ backs too.
—Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The Pixel 10 series ships with Android 16 and Google backs the phones with seven years of OS updates, security fixes, and feature drops.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Spotting and group torching is observed as the fire moves into timber stands to the North and backs into the North Fork of the Kings River to the east.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And both backs figure to get plenty of opportunities again this week against Eastern Washington.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2025
Simmons said running backs coach Benedick Hyppolite controls the rotation.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
The streamer and distributor accepted a $100 million investment from a company that also backs Kela, a defense startup founded in 2024 by Israeli intelligence veterans after the October 7 terrorist attacks.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
The data backs this up more than expected.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Choose a message that backs your reinvention as Uranus aligns with Neptune.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
Buy fresh-looking pumpkins without blemishes, soft spots, or rotting stems.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Remove fruits with soft spots or insect damage.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anthropic endorses new California AI bill.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The Caucus faces another hurdle as Etherton acknowledged the organization needs to raise another $15,000 to implement alternative voting quickly after the October annual meeting if the membership endorses the proposal.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The technique is also critical in material science for understanding the properties of materials, which aids in the design of new ones.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Promotes Digestive Health The fiber in avocados aids digestive health by increasing gut bacteria diversity and promoting regularity.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The weak showing reinforces a picture of a labor market that has almost entirely lost momentum.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This partnership also reinforces O’Neal’s commitment to working with partners who understand his vision of making quality products accessible to everyday consumers.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such tails appear much fainter and glow with a bluish hue.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Sauropods are herbivores known for their very long necks, long tails, small head and pillar-like legs.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Smith advocates for community education as a strategic approach.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
While never changing the church's teaching on homosexuality, Francis met repeatedly with LGBT advocates.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, Osman, who also works as an interpreter, often assists refugees at the shop with travel visas, green card applications and document translation.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Should benefit from playing alongside better players than at Palace and is capable of reaching double figures in both the goals and assists columns.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Combined with Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina’s score, this soundscape bolsters the fights and emotional flashbacks alike with no degree of subtlety.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The researchers’ conclusion about the importance of Zone 0 clearing bolsters the foundation for the new regulation mandating the five-foot clearance in areas of very high fire hazard, experts said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share