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as in withdrawn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
PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
This essay extends the timeline backward while also globalizing the stakes: the Midwest becomes a node in a diasporic network of Black thought and activism.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Bill Hineline, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Victor states that intention from the first scene in an award-winning screenplay that jumps forward and backward in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Oddly, double-tapping the play button skips forward, but there’s no control for skipping backward.
—PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
This essay extends the timeline backward while also globalizing the stakes: the Midwest becomes a node in a diasporic network of Black thought and activism.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Adjective
That backward approach can lead to data overload and unclear goals.
—Bill Hineline, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Victor states that intention from the first scene in an award-winning screenplay that jumps forward and backward in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
After a brief break early next week for places like Portland, the heat will ramp back up by midweek with highs back in the mid-90s on Wednesday.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
12 July 2025
-
As Jane O’Brien, the hotel historian, told us on a tour of the property, the land on which the castle stands belonged to the O’Brien family, which traces its lineage back to Brian Boru, Ireland’s high king in the early 11th century.—
Peter Terzian,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
Consider traveling with a compact Starlink Mini, as satellite internet often remains operational even when other internet services are down.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
-
This was down from 17,972 in the prior financial year, and below a forecast 16,800-17,200.—
Royston Wild,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The last time the Fed cut, in the final four months of 2024, Treasury yields rose almost in perfect reverse correlation to the rate reductions, and the same thing could happen again if markets perceive the Fed is surrendering its inflation-fighting credentials to placate Trump.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
19 July 2025
-
Ionescu drilled a pair of 3-pointers and made a tough reverse lay-up during a 10-point first quarter.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Notice if the child becomes withdrawn, anxious, or shows signs of distress connected to a friendship.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 July 2025
-
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
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 crash occurred at around 1 a.m. when a white Mercedes SUV was heading the wrong way on the southbound lanes of the highway near Okeechobee Road, FHP says.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
-
Earlier Monday, around 9:15 a.m., the weather service reported seeing heavy rainfall along the Rio Grande and in the southern Edwards Plateau, with radar estimating rainfall rates of up to 3 inches an hour.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The unembellished style is well suited for Lake Orta, the quietly beautiful but shy little sister of northern Italy’s more glamorous resort towns.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
And that group never has been shy in expressing its confidence.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
While Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg — the lone cast member to be Oscar-nominated here — get the showier roles, Leo gives a more internal performance as Billy Costigan Jr., a rookie cop who was broken long before going undercover.—
Derek Lawrence,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
-
Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to be the lone Red Sox player to take part in Tuesday’s game, which will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta starting at 8 p.m.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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