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
Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
What was a surprise was that all four of Miami’s top running backs stayed with the team.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Those profits came off our backs.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The Dodgers’ bullpen held the D-backs scoreless the rest of the way.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The mark would have placed him among the top five testing defensive backs at the combine.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Neither of his fellow centre-backs Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad is anywhere near as capable or willing to carry the ball into midfield or play those long crossfield passes to set a player free on the opposite flank.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
In Indianapolis, Overstreet served as an assistant defensive backs coach (2021) and a defensive quality control assistant (2018-2020).
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Outside backs Guilherme Biro and Mikkel Desler will be available to play significant minutes, coach Nico Estèvez said.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2026
Favian Upshaw takes over as the running backs coach after Matt Merritt left to take the same job with the Arizona Cardinals.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Portland responded five minutes later following a miscommunication between center backs Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Coaching update Three Hurricanes position coaches left this offseason; Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and running backs coach Matt Merritt joined the Arizona Cardinals’ staff, and tight ends coach Cory Woodiel took a job on the University of Mississippi staff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
The New Yorker himself vocally backs Mills in Maine, and party leaders subtly prefer Turek in Iowa and Stevens in Michigan.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Screen Australia backs the project in association with Screen Territory and National Indigenous Television, with Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund among additional supporters.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
At least in recent decades, the data backs him up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
His son, Jack Kilmer, also backs the project.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
Schiaparelli continues with the Directoire line in August, but lowered backs.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
What was a surprise was that all four of Miami’s top running backs stayed with the team.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Those profits came off our backs.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The Dodgers’ bullpen held the D-backs scoreless the rest of the way.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The mark would have placed him among the top five testing defensive backs at the combine.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Neither of his fellow centre-backs Jaydee Canvot and Chadi Riad is anywhere near as capable or willing to carry the ball into midfield or play those long crossfield passes to set a player free on the opposite flank.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
In Indianapolis, Overstreet served as an assistant defensive backs coach (2021) and a defensive quality control assistant (2018-2020).
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Outside backs Guilherme Biro and Mikkel Desler will be available to play significant minutes, coach Nico Estèvez said.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Catherine backs people who stay quiet and get on with things.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2026
Favian Upshaw takes over as the running backs coach after Matt Merritt left to take the same job with the Arizona Cardinals.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Portland responded five minutes later following a miscommunication between center backs Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Coaching update Three Hurricanes position coaches left this offseason; Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and running backs coach Matt Merritt joined the Arizona Cardinals’ staff, and tight ends coach Cory Woodiel took a job on the University of Mississippi staff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
The New Yorker himself vocally backs Mills in Maine, and party leaders subtly prefer Turek in Iowa and Stevens in Michigan.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Screen Australia backs the project in association with Screen Territory and National Indigenous Television, with Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund among additional supporters.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
At least in recent decades, the data backs him up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
His son, Jack Kilmer, also backs the project.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
This is where the idea of revenge rears its head.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Dogs sniff each other’s rears, African elephants swing their trunks, and songbirds peck at one another’s feathers.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The challenges certainly will be there, with the Heat decidedly having shifted from the soft spots of their schedule, the next six against the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and then a pair against the Cleveland Cavaliers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Founded in 1935, the Lake Forest Caucus vets residents interested in serving on city boards and commissions and endorses candidates for local offices, including mayor, City Council, and the city’s two local public school boards.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The cops are rendered so clueless and so steadfast in their stupidity, the series accidentally endorses ACAB.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This element aids the MEU with support such as medical and dental assistance, motor transport, supply, equipment maintenance and landings.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Sleep aids all work to help relax your body and improve your sleep in different ways.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While secondary to the platform’s primary function, this feature reinforces the brand’s emphasis on meeting face-to-face.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This latest incident reinforces those fears.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For most people, National Puppy Day is a chance to celebrate wagging tails, tiny paws, and the joy puppies bring to everyday life.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
It’s paired with twin tails inspired by Ferrari’s 512 S, which beat Steve McQueen’s Porsche 908 at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
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
-
Limiting visas helps prioritize Americans in the labor market and education system, said Ira Mehlman, a spokesperson for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for stricter immigration controls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Union of Concerned Scientists is an organization that advocates for scientific integrity.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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