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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Relevance

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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

This time, Florida was strong on offense and defense with running back Jadan Baugh looking like one of the best running backs in the country. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Engineers have turned them into cyborgs by attaching tiny electronic systems and cameras for remote control to their backs. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026 Despite walking four batters, Wacha managed to stymie the D-backs’ offense at Kauffman Stadium. — Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026 Defensive backs cut The Dolphins released cornerback Marco Wilson and safety Lonnie Johnson, per sources. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 Payne and Denman are both capable of being high-level running backs this year, and the elements could make this the type of game where TCU has to run the ball over 30 times. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 James showed excellent vision and punch, and paired with Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners should have three worthwhile, trustworthy backs this season. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Jacobs has been one of the top running backs in the NFL since he was drafted out of Alabama in the first round by the Raiders in 2019. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Federal cash backs nuclear comeback Duane Arnold ran for over 45 years before closing in 2020. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026 Interestingly, there is some evidence relating to the BOAT that seemingly backs this theory. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Center backs Micael and Gonzalo Lujan are doubtful for Miami and Mateo Silvetti is out after reinjuring his shoulder against Atlanta. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026 Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund backs EV maker Lucid, whose assembly plant near Jeddah will reach full production this year, and owns CEER, the kingdom’s homegrown EV brand expected to roll out this year. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Whenever the offensive line gives the quarterback time to pass and the running backs space to run, there isn’t much complaining a coach can do. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Defensive backs Boogsie Silvera and Amari Wallace combined for 17 stops, and linebacker Tim Thomas had six tackles. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 The line, which belongs to the near-unanimous greatest player of all time and is still widely considered to be the pinnacle of signature athletic footwear, has fallen out of favor with hoopers, and the data backs it up. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Many of the top GOP billionaire donors have also given to the Congressional Leadership Fund that backs House Republicans, along with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs

Noun

The 39-year-old, who has been arrested multiple times in Burbank and Glendale, was taken into custody on suspicion of violating terms of his probation from a previous arrest linked to sniffing women’s rears.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Universal constants arise often in math problems, and even the square root of log(N) rears its head once in a while.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rears

Noun

Avoid using onions with any soft spots, sprouts, or signs of decay or discoloration.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Fagnano was able to diagnose some of the disguises from Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finding soft spots in zone coverages both in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft spots

Verb

The detailed data reinforces hopes that the product could be a breakthrough treatment for COPD, a progressive lung disease that blocks airflow and makes breathing difficult.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
Lai added that the trend reinforces content quality as the basis of the market’s stability and long-term resilience.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Verb

AfD opposes aid to the country and advocates lifting sanctions against Russia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Muraskin is an agricultural law professor at George Washington University Law School and a lawyer at FarmSTAND, a nonprofit that advocates against industrial agriculture.

— Kenny Torrella, Vox, 9 Sep. 2026