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as in withdrawn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
Kirsten Acuna, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Right now, Manager Kurt Suzuki and pitching coach Mike Maddux are clearly bending over backward to optimize matchups, rather than simply giving each pitcher a clean inning.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
And some interactions — most notably, particles interacting through the weak force — exhibit asymmetries when particles are replaced with antiparticles, when reflected in a mirror, or when their clocks are run backward instead of forward.
—Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
When placed in front of him, the child either cowers backward in fear and sighs with relief when it's turned off or uses the Force to deactivate it.
—Kirsten Acuna, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Right now, Manager Kurt Suzuki and pitching coach Mike Maddux are clearly bending over backward to optimize matchups, rather than simply giving each pitcher a clean inning.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Five years is a long time to invest in a relationship that hasn’t moved forward, backward or in any direction.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
And some interactions — most notably, particles interacting through the weak force — exhibit asymmetries when particles are replaced with antiparticles, when reflected in a mirror, or when their clocks are run backward instead of forward.
—Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan shot back, quoting a soldier from the CBS report, that telling the truth is important.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Tik-Tok and Instagram weren’t even around in 2010 – the same year Justin Bieber was emerging as a pop star and Lady Gaga put on her meat dress.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Both players had their heads bandaged and were substituted, for Chris Wood and Filip Jorgenson, after a stoppage of around five minutes.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
And there is a non-FHA reverse second loan available for 55-and-older homeowners who don’t want to lose their low interest rate first mortgage.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There have also been reverse trajectories.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
29 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
-
Charlotte’s growing Catholic presence Nationally, religious service attendance is down.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The loss equaled 5 cents per share, down from a profit of 13 cents per share a year ago.—
Dylan Sherman,
Arkansas Online,
28 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
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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
-
Soto finished a triple shy of the cycle.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The contest, which awards half of the pot to a winner and donates the other half to charity after expenses, has sold just shy of $350 million (C$472 million) in tickets since 2001, resulting in about $175 million (C$236 million) in prizes for residents of Alberta.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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