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as in withdrawn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
Skid marks showing that Medina slammed on his brakes and rapidly accelerated backward were also spotted. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 July 2026 Rather than just trimming stems and plopping them in a vase, reflexing plays with the form of the flower by gently folding petals backwards to open up the bloom. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Adjective
The Habiton bathroom's real highlight, though, is a day/night conversion system that allows campers to slide the entire compartment forward or backward. — New Atlas, 21 July 2026 In March, 2020, Hunter Burns, a garage-door installer, hit a guardrail installed upside down and backward in Bradenton, Florida. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 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 withdrawn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
  • Brent crude climbed back above $100 a barrel last week after Houthi militants attacked two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, deepening a supply threat that had eased before the collapse of the Middle East ceasefire.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 July 2026
  • Then Drew Durham says hey after another day of running his custom gear business out of his townhouse behind nearby Piedmont Middle School, before heading back to grab a table with friends on the patio.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Rewilding is taking place; around 200,000 Indigenous seedlings have been planted by lodge botanists to encourage native birds and eliminate invasive species.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • Just running around wearing cloaks, slinking into and out of castles, slicing the throats of all who cross her.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Definition of around
Adjective
  • According to their study, these thin-film solar cells held onto over 90 percent of their original efficiency after being exposed to a harsh reverse bias of minus 40 volts, which usually harms standard thin-film solar cells.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • The goal of the scheme was to make both companies more attractive candidates for reverse mergers with private companies that wanted to become publicly traded.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 21 July 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
  • However, as one indicator, between June 11 and July 19, Miami International Airport saw 3,037,578 total arrivals, slightly down from 3,046,834 one year prior.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • The sun was down, but the temperature was still above 90 degrees.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 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
  • Lama, 28 years old, softspoken and shy, walks quietly among them, equal parts desperation and dread.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • The Red Sox enter Wednesday on a 14-game winning streak, one shy of the 1946 team’s franchise record.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 July 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 28 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of backward for Spanish Speakers

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