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as in withdrawn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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of backward
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson grabbed him and tackled him, but in the process lifted his own feet off the ground and fell on Dobbins’ leg, bending him backward.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Earnings reports are inherently backward looking, so the results aren’t likely to affect the company’s stock price.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Getting there was a process as well, much like therapy — two steps forward one day, one-and-a-half steps backward the next.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson grabbed him and tackled him, but in the process lifted his own feet off the ground and fell on Dobbins’ leg, bending him backward.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Another recent study, published in PLOS One, examined how backward walking affects people with chronic lower back pain.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Earnings reports are inherently backward looking, so the results aren’t likely to affect the company’s stock price.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
School officials said the bus was transporting third-grade students back from a school trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City when the incident occurred.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Playing Queen Charlotte brought her presence back to film following the height of her television fame with Prime Suspect.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
How to create opportunities for himself, say, or how much to carry the puck without Marner there lugging it around — little things like that.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Gavilan is from Buffalo, Minnesota, about an hour outside of Minneapolis, and around seven and a half hours away from Lawrence.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Now, Tapachula is experiencing a reverse migration, as the United States sends planeload after planeload of deportees to the southern part of Mexico while the flow of migrants headed north has dried up.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Among them is the question of whether to use stained parts of the haversacks — possibly containing blood — on the straps’ reverse side, or to cut around them entirely.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 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
-
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
-
Cincinnati charged back from a 31-10 second-quarter deficit, down 44-38 with about 90 seconds left.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Running back Ryan Walters was just shy of 100 yards picking up 99 on 16 carries.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Now McCaffrey is four yards shy of reaching 600 rushing yards and joining a club with Marshall Faulk and Brian Westbrook as the only NFL players with four seasons of 600-plus yards both rushing and receiving.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
And the world goes round… News round-up Injuries are biting Manchester City’s back line.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias grow perennially in warm climates and can be kept outdoors year round in USDA growing zones 9 through 11.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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