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
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
At Folsom Field on Saturday, the Florida State legend was all over the field giving the defensive backs advice during the hour-long scrimmage.
—Pat Graham, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s right — two backs from Notre Dame at the top of this group.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
In his first three seasons, Robinson has become one of the best and most versatile running backs in the league.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The Chiefs previously let defensive backs Charvarius Ward, Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid walk.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Senior safety Max Garrison has been working with the running backs this spring.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Bothersome backs are common among golfers.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Last year’s captain, Aaron Long, is also on track to bolster a strong contingent of center backs.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Apple backs the Studio Display with a one-year limited warranty, which is short compared with the three-year warranties that most monitor manufacturers offer.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Over hundreds of years, oaks growing along the Inner Passage absorbed the sight of angled elbows against the land, backs bent, as hundreds of men sacrificed their lives to carve canals from the swamp.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Annette originally backs Tom as her candidate of choice in the election due to professional ties, including donating a hefty sum to his campaign.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Your Skin Benefits Too This one surprises people, but the research backs it up.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Arcline Investment Management backs the company.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The Cove Church backs the development Construction will start in 1 1/2 to 2 years, representatives of the developer said Monday.
—Joe Marusak
april 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif backs the project as a model for rehabilitation and economic opportunity that shifts the city’s narrative.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Dancers are strewn about the stage on their backs, bent legs pointed skyward in a quasi-rigor mortis.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
At Folsom Field on Saturday, the Florida State legend was all over the field giving the defensive backs advice during the hour-long scrimmage.
—Pat Graham, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s right — two backs from Notre Dame at the top of this group.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
In his first three seasons, Robinson has become one of the best and most versatile running backs in the league.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The Chiefs previously let defensive backs Charvarius Ward, Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid walk.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Senior safety Max Garrison has been working with the running backs this spring.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Bothersome backs are common among golfers.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Last year’s captain, Aaron Long, is also on track to bolster a strong contingent of center backs.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Data from Americans for Fair Health Care backs this up.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Apple backs the Studio Display with a one-year limited warranty, which is short compared with the three-year warranties that most monitor manufacturers offer.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Over hundreds of years, oaks growing along the Inner Passage absorbed the sight of angled elbows against the land, backs bent, as hundreds of men sacrificed their lives to carve canals from the swamp.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Annette originally backs Tom as her candidate of choice in the election due to professional ties, including donating a hefty sum to his campaign.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Your Skin Benefits Too This one surprises people, but the research backs it up.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Arcline Investment Management backs the company.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The Cove Church backs the development Construction will start in 1 1/2 to 2 years, representatives of the developer said Monday.
—Joe Marusak
april 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif backs the project as a model for rehabilitation and economic opportunity that shifts the city’s narrative.
—Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 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
-
Signs such as cracks in the foundation or holes from soft spots in the walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs that moisture has been sitting in your home for a while and turned into mold.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And, for the record, Wendy's endorses the practice of dipping salty fries into sweet Frostys.—
Bob Vitale,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
Today's decision reinforces that commitment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Aerial refueling highlights global reach and efficiency Beyond the visual insights, the test reinforces the B-21’s operational concept.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And the International Dark Sky Week couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, just on the tails of NASA’s Artemis II mission, when all eyes were on the sky.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Many meteors originate from comets, breaking off as these celestial bodies approach the Sun, heating up and sprouting tails of dust and gas; this debris can fall into our atmosphere, manifesting as brilliant shooting stars.—
Sharon Adarlo,
Futurism,
15 Apr. 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
-
Teachers and public education advocates around the state, including CMS district leaders, have called on more funding from the state for public education in recent years, as North Carolina has continued to rank among the nation’s lowest for per-pupil spending and teacher pay.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Alfortish had been disbarred after pleading guilty, in 2011, to a conspiracy charge relating to his tenure as the president of a nonprofit, the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which advocates on behalf of professionals in the horse-racing business.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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