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
Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
For his latest Max Mara collection, Griffiths designed many looks with bare backs demarcated with harness-like arrangements of black elastic straps.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
The difference to Gordon was how the players responded with the backs against the proverbial wall.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
On game day, the city comes alive—pints in hand, jerseys on backs, and chants rolling down Caxton Street on the march to Suncorp Stadium.
—Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
The queen of talking about people behind their backs has an issue with them talking about someone behind their back — but Lisa, of course, rejects this comparison and denies saying anything out of order.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
The Chicago Bears' heavy investment in the run game led by D'Andre Swift received a new update on Tuesday when the Bears opted to bring in four different running backs for workouts.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This puts a higher demand on the wing-backs to provide.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the Dodgers, winners of last year’s World Series, have their backs against the wall.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Fiona Ma, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Vitality backs technologies and systems that are energy-efficient, resilient, and regenerative; in short, designed like nature.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Defensive backs Brian Branch and Arthur Maulet can cause problems.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025
The position — officially, the Chanel botanical curator — is supported by the Chanel Culture Fund, a philanthropic arm of the French luxury house that backs innovative cultural projects and initiatives around the world.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Martin, a serial CEO of hospital operators, backs firms focused on improving patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Smith might be listed behind veteran backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt on the depth chart, but the team’s overall backfield production has risen in the past few weeks and Smith is part of that renaissance.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
The result backs earlier research in animals showing that environments that stimulate the brain can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Of course, that’s not universal on the Warriors’ roster, but the four men whose knees, hips, and backs the entire season rests upon have been through the ringer more than a few times.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Their images were broadcast widely on Venezuelan television, face down with their arms tied behind their backs.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
For his latest Max Mara collection, Griffiths designed many looks with bare backs demarcated with harness-like arrangements of black elastic straps.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
The difference to Gordon was how the players responded with the backs against the proverbial wall.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
On game day, the city comes alive—pints in hand, jerseys on backs, and chants rolling down Caxton Street on the march to Suncorp Stadium.
—Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
The queen of talking about people behind their backs has an issue with them talking about someone behind their back — but Lisa, of course, rejects this comparison and denies saying anything out of order.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
The Chicago Bears' heavy investment in the run game led by D'Andre Swift received a new update on Tuesday when the Bears opted to bring in four different running backs for workouts.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This puts a higher demand on the wing-backs to provide.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the Dodgers, winners of last year’s World Series, have their backs against the wall.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Decades of research backs this up.
—Fiona Ma, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
Vitality backs technologies and systems that are energy-efficient, resilient, and regenerative; in short, designed like nature.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Defensive backs Brian Branch and Arthur Maulet can cause problems.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025
The position — officially, the Chanel botanical curator — is supported by the Chanel Culture Fund, a philanthropic arm of the French luxury house that backs innovative cultural projects and initiatives around the world.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Martin, a serial CEO of hospital operators, backs firms focused on improving patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Smith might be listed behind veteran backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt on the depth chart, but the team’s overall backfield production has risen in the past few weeks and Smith is part of that renaissance.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
The result backs earlier research in animals showing that environments that stimulate the brain can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Of course, that’s not universal on the Warriors’ roster, but the four men whose knees, hips, and backs the entire season rests upon have been through the ringer more than a few times.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
Jordan love kind of rears back, throws it across the field, and Mike Jack had the presence of mind to stay with his guy on that one, and could have come up with a big interception.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Last year’s team, in particular, needed a fire lit under their collective rears.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Their non‑conference schedule features marquee showdowns (including a home game against the Kansas Jayhawks) and the ACC campaign offers no soft spots.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Surface scratches are to be expected but avoid deep cuts and squash with any soft spots.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even at its most sorrowful, anti-authoritarian, and smart-alecky, Gunn’s work endorses a fundamentally promising vision of life.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The Boston Herald endorses Will Onuoha, Erin Murphy, Ruthzee Louijeune and Frank Baker for Boston City Council.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The governor is tapping unspent funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the federal program that aids low-income families with children.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, aids roughly 42 million people and was set to run out of funds on Saturday without intervention.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether the start of a full new chapter for the rapper or a one-off detour, Stardust reinforces the idea that, even newly sober, Brown remains one of the most exciting and least predictable artists in hip-hop.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Teaching reinforces your own learning.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Substitute with large shrimp or even lobster tails.—
Amanda Stanfield,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Visitors can still watch daily mermaid shows, which involve women donning colorful tails performing aquatic dances and stunts.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 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
-
Work continues on the White House ballroom project as historic preservation advocates press for proper review procedures.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Freedom of the Press Under the Current Administration — Presented by the Golden Globe Foundation, this session brings together journalists and advocates defending freedom of the press and the essential role of truth in sustaining democracy.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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