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as in withdrawn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
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
In the video, the security guard who leaped into the crowd at the man who yanked at Eilish appeared to be thrown backward by him.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Mickey burst up out of the water and backward.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
In a second overhead video of the incident, there’s a fan who is shoved and falls backwards through the crowd before landing on the floor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
In the video, the security guard who leaped into the crowd at the man who yanked at Eilish appeared to be thrown backward by him.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The team ran scenarios, including a backward push to induce forward pitching and a lateral force that caused rolling, and found the controller could stabilise the robot in both cases.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Mickey burst up out of the water and backward.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Leadership sometimes slips back into being only results-driven.—
Samuel Burke,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Yash Raj Films is heading back to Britain in a big way.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Showing confidence the whole night that the outcome wouldn’t really be in doubt, BSU went for it seven times on fourth down, converting six of those.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Still down 20-17, the Razorbacks failed on fourth-and-5 from the Tennessee 25 later in the third quarter, and quarterback Taylen Green lost his second fumble of the game early in the fourth at the Arkansas 19.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, a request for a reverse waiver hearing was granted, along with a motion to not publish an image of the teenager.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The MagellanTV takeover follows Blue Ant listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange in August through a reverse takeover of Boat Rocker Media.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
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
Adverb
-
The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout Lang’s brief career, there were hints of fancy dress—of the little girl who rootles around in a box of grownup costumes, trying out one look after the next.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The 3-3 Cougs fell a few seconds shy of being able to attempt a long field goal at the whistle.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mize has been impressive this season, giving up only 1 during his lone postseason appearance while posting a 14-6 record during the regular season.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Miran singled himself out as a lone voter who favored a much more aggressive easing path.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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