backward 1 of 2

adverb

ˈbak-wərd How to pronounce backward (audio)
variants or backwards
Definition of backwardnext
1
as in back
toward the rear looking backward, we could see the town receding in the distance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backward

2 of 2

adjective

1
as in reverse
directed, turned, or done toward the back a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people curiously, the quiet, backward man opened up when around other introverts

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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 backward
Adverb
This arrangement allows the drone to quickly shoot forward and backward, and to pivot on the spot if the propellers are simultaneously tilted in opposite directions. — New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2026 Scientists must work backward through those tracks to determine where the collision occurred, what particles were created, and what the original neutrino’s energy and direction were. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The original Schwarzkopf flywheel-launch coaster featured a single train that traveled forward and backward on an 800-foot-long shuttle track with a 76-foot-tall vertical loop. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026 As with any dye-sub printer, printing involves moving the paper forward and backward several times, once for each panel on the dye roll (or ribbon). — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
  1. back
  2. around
  3. reverse
  4. withdrawn
  5. rearward
  6. down
  7. reversed
  8. shy
Adverb
  • Despite the brawl, people CBS News Detroit spoke with on Sunday are looking forward to coming back to the cruise next year.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But others take issue with her premise the exercises are unnecessary, arguing that scaling them back puts US forces –– almost 30,000 of them stationed in South Korea and over 50,000 more in nearby Japan –– in a more dangerous situation.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Due to the rising cost of living, many workers are now only able to afford their living expenses for around eight days in each month, according to Faramarz Toufighi, a Labor activist cited in the ILNA report.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Separately, Google parent Alphabet is now the third largest holding of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio, with data suggesting Berkshire bought around $7 billion of Alphabet shares on the open market.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of around
Adjective
  • Zero-copy access and reverse ETL replace the old ritual of duplicating customer profiles into every application that wants one.
    — Neerav Vyas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, a reverse merger deal was finalized to take Price’s company public.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of reverse
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Adverb
  • The floor plan centers around a single- or dual-seat lounge that faces rearward to provide views through the open entryway.
    — C.C. Weiss May 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of rearward
Adverb
  • Webb and Payton will lament converting only 5-of-14 attempts on third down, but the Broncos generally appeared in sync operationally.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The number of beef cows is at historic lows for the midyear mark, and the calf crop for 2026 is projected to be down another 2% from last year’s multidecade lows, per the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s cattle report released last month.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of down
Adjective
  • It’s not yet confirmed if the reversed look that was seen initially will be released at retail.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
  • As the number of reversed-conviction lawsuits exploded over the past decade, the city spread most of the work around a dozen firms, who deployed more than 200 attorneys in all plus another 200-plus support staffers.
    — Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of reversed
Adjective
  • At 51, Rabatin was a few years shy of the average age of onset, which is 55.
    — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Reacher is weirdly shy about telling Elspeth Sampson her husband might have an Indonesian love child, but Elspeth insists the Sampsons have no secrets.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of shy

Browse Nearby Words

backups
backward
backward-looking
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Cite this Entry

“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of backward for Spanish Speakers

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