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 around
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as in withdrawn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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Janis Carr, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck for the seventh time in T20s this year, slicing the first ball from Jofra Archer to deep backward point.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Because of that, law enforcement usually focuses on the people closest to the victim and works backward.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Lue, who has guided the Clippers to this point with equal measure of faith and composure, said the team needs to focus on Wednesday’s game – not look ahead to a second Play-In game or a first-round series or backward to what has transpired.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck for the seventh time in T20s this year, slicing the first ball from Jofra Archer to deep backward point.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Reiten tried lots of sports — like skiing and handball — but always found her way back to football.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Will that be back in the summer?—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
As for working with her costars in the original — this time around joined by Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux and more — The Princess Diaries actress had no shortage of kind words.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Poppy Pattinson Called up to her first senior squad in February and made her debut in the second half against Ukraine, but the 25-year-old was not recalled this time around.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1935, the league’s founders met at the Fort Pitt Hotel and voted unanimously to put in place a selection process in reverse order of the previous season’s standings.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The King of the Mountain match was essentially a reverse ladder match that included a penalty box for those who were pinned – which is also featured in the Iron Survivor Challenge that takes place during WWE NXT events.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 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
-
It can easily be dressed up or down with the right bottoms and accessories, like a denim skirt or leggings with sandals to complete your look for any occasion.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Climate fund dry powder stood at $90 billion in this year’s first quarter, down from a $112 billion peak in the same period last year, according to a new Sightline Climate report.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Up to a million people celebrate in the neighborhood each year, and after the state was slammed by snow in recent weeks, city leaders want to maximize accessibility along the reversed route from Andrew Square to A Street and West Broadway.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, the Chargers won’t be shy about using Mesidor equally in running or passing situations.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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