backward 1 of 2

variants or backwards
Definition of backwardnext
1
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backward

2 of 2

adjective

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
Braun also wore a Knicks shirt, pairing it with a backwards black cap. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 24 June 2026 That woman falls backward and the attacker gets up and approaches her before the video cuts out. Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Adjective
And because the Switch 2 has excellent (and nearly perfect) backward compatibility, nearly all your original Switch games will work on the new console, so don't let the worry about leaving your favorite games behind hinder your upgrade. Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026 Have a backward day with friends. Parents, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
  • The pathologist documented extensive bruising and hemorrhage involving Joanna’s abdomen, flanks, back, buttocks, thighs and lower extremities, according to the affidavit.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026
  • Other food available at the fair includes a Turkey Leg that costs $23, a Smash Cheeseburger that will set patrons back $20 and a Giant Western Sausage that sells $20.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Adverb
  • Kkj 2-Pack Casual Tank Tops Loose, breathable tank tops like these are ideal for summer trips to the zoo, evening walks around the neighborhood, or just lounging around at home.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 23 June 2026
  • Now that is maturity, not throwing a fit because Joe is around.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • That requires separating social media use from adolescent distress, loneliness, family instability, sleep disruption, bullying, genetics, psychiatric vulnerability, pandemic effects, and reverse causation.
    Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026
  • Following the spin, the remaining company, which will be called Honeywell Technologies, will undergo a 1-for-2 reverse stock split.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • The withdrawn draft focused on setting up several new watchdogs to keep AI in check, including a dedicated commission and a special insurance fund to help people if the new technology caused harm.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
  • When moved rearward, the driver-side mattress folds and the front part of the bed base telescopes inside the larger rear section so the dinette can be expanded and used comfortably up front.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The Peptide-132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment uses a proprietary peptide complex, along with keratin, collagen, and amino acids, to repair damage, smooth frizz, and strengthen dry or overprocessed strands without weighing hair down.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
  • Regulators continue to focus on runway safety, and FAA data shows there were 1,636 runway incursions in fiscal year 2025, down from 1,758 in 2024 and 1,760 in 2023.
    Amalia Roy, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
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
Adjective
  • The final attendance number fell just shy of a sellout at 68,391.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • On Thursday, the EU Council formally adopted two regulations that officially enact the tariff commitments established last August, completing the legislative process just days shy of the July 4 deadline.
    Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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