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as in withdrawn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
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
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
Alec Nevala-Lee
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
But again, the Switch 2’s biggest strength is its backward compatibility.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 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
The jet effect, Alvarez concluded, could explain the backward snap without a shot from the front.
—Alec Nevala-Lee
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
But again, the Switch 2’s biggest strength is its backward compatibility.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Arizona will have to do so without Corbin Carroll, who is working his way back from injury, and get a tough series opener with Logan Webb taking the mound for the Giants.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
-
Yet the Croat, who played for Juve in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has a lot of work to do in order to bring Juve back to former levels.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
30 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
-
After the breakup, however, don’t expect your monthly expenses to go down by half.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
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
-
Like most trends, neckties will likely come back around in another fun and unique way.—
Kristopher Fraser,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
-
This time around, there is a risk of persistent supply-side inflation driven by policy.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
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
-
And Prim Rose is a 1-year-old girl who is energetic yet a little shy and has been waiting for a forever family since January.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Changing Face Of Threats Modern attackers are not lone hackers in basements.—
Bhupendra Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Disney Dream is the lone Disney ship for now sailing from the line’s new second home in Fort Lauderdale.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share