variants
or backwards
1
as in back
toward the rear
looking backward, we could see the town receding in the distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in down
toward the opposite direction
the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
curiously, the quiet, backward man opened up when around other introverts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of backward
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 June 2025
After Alvarez speculated that Kennedy had simply fallen backward when his neck muscles went limp, Hoch handed him the book Six Seconds in Dallas by Josiah Thompson, which made an exceptionally strong case for a conspiracy based on the physical evidence.
—Alec Nevala-Lee
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Although the Cordilleran Ice Sheet almost certainly melted due to a change in the Earth’s position relative to the sun, that alone doesn’t account for the ice’s backward retreat from western North America.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Karen Read's second murder trial continued Tuesday with testimony from a defense expert who says John O’Keefe likely smashed his skull during a fall backward.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 June 2025
After Alvarez speculated that Kennedy had simply fallen backward when his neck muscles went limp, Hoch handed him the book Six Seconds in Dallas by Josiah Thompson, which made an exceptionally strong case for a conspiracy based on the physical evidence.
—Alec Nevala-Lee
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Adjective
A little higher above the western horizon, look for a right-leaning backward question mark.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Although the Cordilleran Ice Sheet almost certainly melted due to a change in the Earth’s position relative to the sun, that alone doesn’t account for the ice’s backward retreat from western North America.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
The 20 productions will go into production, shooting back to back four batches of five titles.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 June 2025
-
From Coachella to your couch, Yo Gabba Gabba! is so back.—
Katie Atkinson,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Adverb
-
In that small venue, the motorcycle ridden by the lead character, a mysterious rocker named Chad, rose up and down from the orchestra pit.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2025
-
After the breakup, however, don’t expect your monthly expenses to go down by half.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Or reverse years of institutional doubt about whether women belong on the grid.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
In the third, the Valkyries ballooned their lead to as big as 22 after a reverse layup from Fágbénlé.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adverb
-
Each is wrapped in graceful exterior lines and curves that sweep rearward from a massive hood that evokes a classic Jaguar XKE from the 1960’s.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
5 Aug. 2024
Adverb
-
Seager is at the center of what is fast becoming a crisis for a team that should be a contender, a point that Bochy delicately stepped around before Thursday’s game.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2025
-
The first firefighters entered the flat at around 1:07 a.m.—
Time,
Time,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, Wicked arrived on Peacock on March 21, just shy of four months after the film opened in theaters.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Measuring over 4 feet tall and just shy of two feet wide, this charming furniture find offers loads of storage in both top and bottom compartments.—
Alexandra Kay,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The update comes one week after the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) announced a group of hikers reported seeing a lone individual who appeared unprepared for the wilderness near Colchuck Lake.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
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The lone returnee who played regularly for last season’s NCAA Tournament team is junior guard Aidan Burke.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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