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as in withdrawn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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of backward
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Pope was knocked unconscious and fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
The whole concept of toxic fandom confuses me because, outside of the anger and backwards thinking, because who cares about a movie franchise that much?
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Pope was knocked unconscious and fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Adjective
There's no reason to go with the worm, let alone a backward one.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
The red leather booths and wooden bar date back to the early 20th century and the walls are covered in flags from American universities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Noem's private jets are back in the spotlight.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
The New York City property has been around since 2003, and reopened in April 2021 following a pandemic closure, with the brand new MO Lounge in the lobby.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Reports have suggested that production and marketing costs ran around $300 million.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
That will no longer be the case for picks 31 through 46, which will now be ordered in reverse order of the lottery drawing.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Africans paid $68 million for European short-term visa applications that ended up being rejected in 2024, imposing a cost that analysts have described as ‘reverse remittances’ in favour of rich countries.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
-
Read more on the deadly ripple effects of withdrawn aid.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 May 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
-
The company’s shares are down 16% year to date as investors worry its businesses are being eaten up by competitors and that Copilot’s user base leaves a lot to be desired.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
The latest Apple AirPods 3, a small but mighty set of earbuds with impressive sound quality and ergonomic cushioning, are quietly down to $200, while the newest MacBook Air has an impressive $200 discount.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
It’s not yet confirmed if the reversed look that was seen initially will be released at retail.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Petco — Shares of the pet retailer dropped roughly 8% after Petco’s current-quarter forecast came in shy of Wall Street’s expectations.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Though often despised, carp are exceedingly shy and difficult, and great fighters.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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