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as in withdrawn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
Julia Manchester, The Hill, 13 June 2025
In walks a fellow who can sing and dance, who can memorize a script backward and forward in a few days, and who absolutely looks the part – but who can’t act it, not really.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 12 June 2025
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Although the Cordilleran Ice Sheet almost certainly melted due to a change in the Earth’s position relative to the sun, that alone doesn’t account for the ice’s backward retreat from western North America.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
He was then grabbed by agents, who pushed him backward, shoved him through a set of double doors, and forced him onto the ground and handcuffed him.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 13 June 2025
In walks a fellow who can sing and dance, who can memorize a script backward and forward in a few days, and who absolutely looks the part – but who can’t act it, not really.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 12 June 2025
Adjective
A little higher above the western horizon, look for a right-leaning backward question mark.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Although the Cordilleran Ice Sheet almost certainly melted due to a change in the Earth’s position relative to the sun, that alone doesn’t account for the ice’s backward retreat from western North America.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
The 20 productions will go into production, shooting back to back four batches of five titles.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
18 June 2025
-
From Coachella to your couch, Yo Gabba Gabba! is so back.—
Katie Atkinson,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Adverb
-
In that small venue, the motorcycle ridden by the lead character, a mysterious rocker named Chad, rose up and down from the orchestra pit.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2025
-
To this day, no other team in finals history has gone down 3-0 to force a Game 7.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Opes Jet favors a reverse auction, where aircraft operators make bids for flights a client has posted via the app.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
28 June 2025
-
That’s why for smaller cryptocurrency companies seeking a faster path to public markets, reverse mergers have become a popular alternative.—
Cloris Chen,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
5 Aug. 2024
Adverb
-
The size of the market was around $1.5 trillion in 2024, according to Morgan Stanley.—
Spriha Srivastava,Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
-
Its chief executive, Elon Musk, has long outlined his vision of millions of self-driving Teslas shuttling around paying customers as the next phase of the company’s future.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, Wicked arrived on Peacock on March 21, just shy of four months after the film opened in theaters.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Measuring over 4 feet tall and just shy of two feet wide, this charming furniture find offers loads of storage in both top and bottom compartments.—
Alexandra Kay,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Saudis have also won their lone Gold Cup match so far, so this is for top spot in the group.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
The lone returnee who played regularly for last season’s NCAA Tournament team is junior guard Aidan Burke.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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