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as in withdrawn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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the tale of Benjamin Button, who is born with the appearance and strength of an elderly man and ultimately ages backward into infancy.
—Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 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
The docking pilot directed the ship to move backward – instructions that were acknowledged by the captain, translated into Spanish and relayed to crewmembers, the report said.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the tale of Benjamin Button, who is born with the appearance and strength of an elderly man and ultimately ages backward into infancy.
—Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 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
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There are also central 5-megapixel cameras front and back.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
12 July 2025
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After a phone call with the president of the European Commission, Trump reneged and agreed to go back to the July 9 deadline.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
12 July 2025
Adverb
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While that’s down from 88% in 2024, these same folks feel less prepared across all six areas Accenture surveyed.—
Sumeet Salwan,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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These styles can be dressed up or down for any itinerary, and they’re elevated enough for even the most fashionable destinations.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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On the precipice of artificial intelligence (AI) robotics, the company executed a 1-for-8 reverse split intended to streamline internal structures for future growth.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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But even if writing about Paris helped ease the transition, my mind was still flailing in this last codified stage, reverse language shock.—
Benedict Nguyễn
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Ahead of the release of James Gunn's Superman (in theaters now), speculation spiraled around who exactly was underneath the black suit of this mysterious figure.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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Those with expendable capital began purchasing restaurants and gyro joints, places like Greektown’s famed Greek Islands, which has been around since 1971, or the nearby Parthenon (where Kelaidis’ grandparents had their first wedding anniversary), which closed in 2016 after 48 years in business.—
Charlie Kolodziej,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Guests did not shy from donning some of the designer’s more out-there creations.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
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Talk about Travis Scott starts just shy of the 1:30 mark.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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