Synonyms of backward

backward 1 of 2

adverb

ˈbak-wərd 

variants or backwards

1

as in back

toward the rear

looking backward, we could see the town receding in the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• back
• rearward
• astern
• reversely
• counterclockwise
• widdershins
• anticlockwise
• retrograde
• left-handed
• sternforemost
• left-handedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward
• forth
• ahead
• along
• on
• forwards
• before
• onward

2

as in around

toward the opposite direction

the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• back
• down
• round
• downward
• about
• behind
• rearward
• reversely
• across
• counterclockwise
• counter
• athwart
• widdershins
• obversely

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clockwise
• deasil

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reverse
• reversed
• hind
• retrograde
• rearward
• rear
• posterior
• aft
• after
• astern
• sternforemost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward

2

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people

curiously, the quiet, backward man opened up when around other introverts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawn
• shy
• lone
• diffident
• sheepish
• bashful
• modest
• retiring
• recessive
• coy
• introverted
• awkward
• demure
• embarrassed
• self-effacing
• reserved
• antisocial
• unsociable
• unsocial
• uneasy
• unenterprising
• lone-wolf
• unassertive
• unadventurous
• inhibited
• uptight
• self-conscious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• social
• immodest
• extroverted
• gregarious
• convivial
• forward
• companionable
• sociable
• boon
• forceful
• bold
• dashing
• uninhibited
• clubbable
• unreserved
• brash
• overbold

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backward

Adverb

The seats are on the side of the track, allowing riders’ feet to dangle below or above them as their seat spins forward or backward. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Does Ellison want to look forward, rather than backward, given all of his talk about taking on tech giants in the attention economy? — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Adjective

For instance, a forward or reverse lunge with an overhead reach combines a squat and push movement in the forward-and-backward plane of motion. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

In the images, Gerber smiled outdoors in a black T-shirt and backward cap, displaying his signature neck and arm tattoos. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026