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as in withdrawn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
Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
To achieve this end, the American officials negotiating a peace agreement should learn from the failure of the 2022 Istanbul talks between Kyiv and Moscow, which treated a political settlement as the goal and worked backward toward a cease-fire.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
At the lower left side of the backward C that makes up the northern crown is an extremely faint star, T-Coronae Borealis.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
To hit your target, work backward to find the number of deals needed based on your average deal size and win rate.
—Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
To achieve this end, the American officials negotiating a peace agreement should learn from the failure of the 2022 Istanbul talks between Kyiv and Moscow, which treated a political settlement as the goal and worked backward toward a cease-fire.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
There's also double the storage, faster load times and backward compatibility with many original Switch games and accessories.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
At the lower left side of the backward C that makes up the northern crown is an extremely faint star, T-Coronae Borealis.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Others, like transportation and warehousing, probably brought on more workers because of the tariffs but are likely to pull back in coming months, experts say.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
-
From this point on the story switches to different southwestern states, Kansas, Colorado, back to Wyoming as other characters are introduced who will be a key part of efforts to track down Lucas.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adverb
-
Market have been volatile but the DJIA, S&P and Nasdaq are also down for now, but by less.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
-
Its revenue dipped 1% last quarter compared to the same time period in 2024, and the company lowered its full-year net revenue guidance to $850 million to $900 million down from $950 million to $1 billion.—
Will Yakowicz,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Known for its reverse chronological storytelling, the noir thriller stars Rainn Wilson, Wyatt Russell, Ron Livingston, and more.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Even though return volumes are rising, reverse supply chains are actually underdeveloped.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Its influence on the withdrawn protagonist, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is largely implied.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 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 impact of Canadians turning to homegrown goods could add around 10 billion Canadian dollars to the country’s economy and hike its GDP by around 0.3 percentage points, according to research from Robert Kavcic, director of economics at BMO Capital Markets.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Firefighters responded to a three-story home on Pliny Street in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood around 8 p.m., according to the Hartford Fire Department.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
By the end of regulation, Nylander had played only 15.5 minutes, a smidge less than Tavares, who was just shy of 16.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Mostly cloudy skies will keep temperatures around 65 degrees in the metro Saturday, which is just a few degrees shy of the average of 68 for this time of year.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Fairfield transfer Lou Lopez Senechal played nearly 32 minutes per game in her lone season with the Huskies in 2023-24, leading the team in 3-point percentage and averaging 15.5 points.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2025
-
Evander Kane had Edmonton’s first goal while the lone Kings’ score came from Andrei Kuzmenko, both in the second period.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share