Synonyms of backward

backward 1 of 2

adverb

ˈbak-wərd 

variants or backwards

1

as in back

toward the rear

looking backward, we could see the town receding in the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• back
• rearward
• rearwards
• astern
• reversely
• counterclockwise
• withershins
• widdershins
• anticlockwise
• left-handed
• retrograde
• sternforemost
• left-handedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward
• forth
• ahead
• along
• on
• forwards
• before
• onward
• onwards

2

as in down

toward the opposite direction

the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening

Synonyms & Similar Words

• down
• back
• around
• round
• downward
• about
• downwards
• behind
• rearward
• rearwards
• reversely
• across
• counterclockwise
• counter
• athwart
• widdershins
• withershins
• obversely

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clockwise
• deasil

backward

2 of 2

adjective

1

as in reverse

directed, turned, or done toward the back

a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reverse
• reversed
• hind
• retrograde
• rearward
• rear
• posterior
• aft
• after
• astern
• sternforemost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward

2

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people

curiously, the quiet, backward man opened up when around other introverts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawn
• shy
• lone
• diffident
• sheepish
• bashful
• modest
• retiring
• recessive
• coy
• introverted
• awkward
• demure
• embarrassed
• self-effacing
• reserved
• antisocial
• unsociable
• unsocial
• uneasy
• unenterprising
• lone-wolf
• unassertive
• unadventurous
• inhibited
• uptight
• self-conscious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• social
• immodest
• extroverted
• extraverted
• gregarious
• convivial
• companionable
• forward
• sociable
• boon
• forceful
• bold
• dashing
• uninhibited
• clubable
• clubbable
• unreserved
• brash
• overbold

Examples of backward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Daylight saving time is the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour, either forward or backward, to make better use of daylight. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024

Just weeks after his birth, Rhythm was already displaying evidence of a natural aptitude for dance in videos Sagi received from the breeder — lying on a bed while tapping and crossing his paws, and also walking backward. —Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Unlike Dead Rising, Lollipop Chainsaw never received a sequel nor a remaster, previously available only on PS3 and Xbox 360 without a backward compatibility option to run on newer consoles. —Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2024

Leaders who flip around this backward thinking can develop strategies that heal. —Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024