backward-looking

adjective

Definition of backward-lookingnext
as in nostalgic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backward-looking Since the 2008 financial crisis, virtually every major piece of legislation – from Dodd-Frank to subsequent banking reforms – has been backward-looking, designed to address past crises rather than prepare for the next frontier. — Patrick McHenry, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Jeremy Porter, chief economist at First Street, said the backward-looking models are not correcting for climate and for all the sources of risk. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 18 June 2026 As a result, Moyn says, the country’s fate and character are being determined not by forward-looking people in their youth or their prime but by backward-looking ones in the final third of their lives. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 This backward-looking approach fails entirely against novel attack vectors like synthetic identity creation and deepfake social engineering. — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for backward-looking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward-looking
  1. nostalgic
  2. retrospective
  3. introspective
  4. philosophical
  5. analytic
Adjective
  • And while further details are yet to be revealed — save for the glimpses featured in the trailer that dropped in June — fans can expect to get that nostalgic feeling that captured their hearts the first time around.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The nostalgic crunchy-yet-pillowy texture, mixed with the tangy snap of the dill pickle flavor, made this my new go-to snack.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of nostalgic
Adjective
  • Those elements remain necessary, but the architecture is usually retrospective.
    — Asif Menghrani, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Shoma’s investigation of Varsha’s reincarnation, and Dinu’s investigation of Shoma, give the first part of Ghost-Eye a satisfyingly retrospective quality.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of retrospective
Adjective
  • The red planet doesn’t care to journey through this Water sign — given its introspective and emotional nature — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be harnessed correctly.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This free and fiery take on folk and indie pop could have benefitted from an edit that allowed its highlights to shine, but its deceptively soft, introspective parts are potent nonetheless.
    — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of introspective
Adjective
  • Her research explores questions about the nature of the self, decision-making, temporal experience, philosophical methodology, causation, causal experience, time and time’s arrow, perception, mereology, constitution, and essence.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But Cheogyal and his classmates studied the history of Tibetan dynasties, logic, philosophical systems, poetry, linguistics, and astrology – core subjects in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • Whether the issue was rare earths, electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductors, or artificial intelligence, the analytical mistake has remained remarkably consistent.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Putnam was an exception to this rule as an analytic philosopher who ventured into continental territory.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of analytic

Browse Nearby Words

backward
backward-looking
backwash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backward-looking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward-looking. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All