backs 1 of 2

plural of back
1
as in rears
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

backs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of back
1
2
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

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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
Noun
On paper, the Panthers do have one of the better backup running backs in football, with former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle entering the fold this year coming off of an 1,000-yard rushing season of his own in 2024. Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas are Carolina’s other running backs. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025 Added to which, wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Frimpong, the latter now with Wirtz at Anfield, were an incredibly dynamic threat, stretching opponents across the full width of the pitch but playing with enough individual variety to pose a range of different questions. Andy Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 Textured toys overhead amuse babies on their backs while musical toys entertain during tummy time and when learning to crawl. Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 That’s half the number of interceptions that Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt believes the team should have had. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025 Four running backs returned from last season and three have gained at least 100 rushing yards this year. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025 Derrick Henry, normally one of the league’s most reliable backs, has already fumbled three times this season – two of them in critical fourth-quarter moments. Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025 The running backs erupted, combining for four touchdowns as the Eagles (1-2) scored 21 unanswered points en route to an impressive 28-7 victory over Everett on the road. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Each routinely backs the Democratic Party line in their respective chambers of Congress. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025 The move comes as the US backs the Lobito Corridor project, a rival railway upgrade in the southwest of the continent, which will refurbish train lines that connect Angola’s Atlantic coast to resource-rich DR Congo, as well as Zambia. Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Derrick Henry will forever go down as one of the greatest running backs the state of Florida has ever produced. Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Elon Musk wades back into UK politics, backs leader of new right-wing party, mocks rival. FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025 Neither Jeremy Payne nor Trent Battle could get into a rhythm as the Sun Devils clogged running lanes, making each of the running backs less decisive when hitting a hole. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025 In the footage obtained by ViralBear, a man approaches his car in a parking lot while another vehicle backs into a spot in the same lot. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 Naysayers may argue Ellis Ross is a little biased, but Bashir backs her up, recommending it to her curly clients as well. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 The New York Declaration outlines a comprehensive framework for ending Israel’s military operations in Gaza, returning the remaining hostages, dismantling Hamas, and rebuilding the strip and backs these steps with security guarantees and initiatives to boost regional integration. Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
  • 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
  • Other signs of mold or spoilage include shriveling, leaking juice, soft spots, or an off smell.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
  • But Monday night offers an opportunity for the veteran to sit in soft spots and finally give Bo Nix a reliable target in the middle of the field.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The law also requires insurance plans to cover the vaccines the state endorses.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike Schumer and Jeffries, Harris endorses Mamdani for NYC mayor.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Major League Soccer is promoting Charles Altchek, considered by many to be a potential future commissioner, to oversee the group that aids clubs in their business efforts.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • For a 12th year, nine cities on the tour will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids pediatric patients through entertainment and/or educational initiatives.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By linking enrichment, missile capabilities, and support for Palestinian resistance, the senior cleric reinforces a hard-line posture that could further complicate diplomatic efforts and destabilize the region.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Over time, dysfunctional breathing reinforces poor posture and scapular instability.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Stars are seen to be forming within the Magellanic Stream, and similar bridges and tidal tails are known to be hot-spots of star formation elsewhere in the universe.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers had shown in 2023 that parasitic scraps of DNA could spread within bacterial populations by hitching rides on the tails of infecting viruses.
    Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 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
  • That same day, advocates for incarcerated people gathered inside the capitol to attend a rally with progressive Democratic legislators.
    Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Yet advocates stress that higher education remains a strong investment, despite rising costs and debt pressures.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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