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as in withdrawn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
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
Frantic editing ensures that scenes flash forward and backward in time, sometimes within a minute: these alternating shots work like a visual metronome, ticking from side to side.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Some of the fossil’s features suggest monotremes might have evolved from living in the water to land — and could explain the bizarre, backward feet echidnas have today.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
In Calorie Count, titling the Joy-Con moves characters forward and backward.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 27 May 2025
Frantic editing ensures that scenes flash forward and backward in time, sometimes within a minute: these alternating shots work like a visual metronome, ticking from side to side.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Adjective
There is no more tempting occasion for the backward glance; what’s remarkable is how many glancers there have already been in the course of decades past.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Some of the fossil’s features suggest monotremes might have evolved from living in the water to land — and could explain the bizarre, backward feet echidnas have today.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
After losing the first two sets, Agassi surges back to beat Andrei Medvedev 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
There will always be people who try to push you back.—
Susan Miller,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Adverb
-
Chris sits back down in his chair, his arm now around a 1976 bicentennial Gibson Firebird that Tom Petty used to play a month of shows at The Fillmore in the ’90s.—
Josh Brolin,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
-
Reheat in the oven at 400°F for 5 to 6 minutes, or tortilla-side down on the stovetop for 3 to 4 minutes over medium-high heat with olive oil (until tortilla is crispy again).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Besides a decrease in consumer spending, others include the prevalence of reverse gentrification, an increase in secondhand shopping and rising unemployment rates.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
-
Now, exosomes are in moisturizers, serums, and hair injectables, promising to repair your skin barrier, boost collagen production, and reverse aging.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
For children, especially, these stressors can quickly lead to meltdowns or withdrawn behavior.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 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 Mavericks have over a dozen country hits and have been around just as long.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2025
-
Studies do show that citronella, geranium, peppermint and other fragrant plants can indeed help deter mosquitoes, but the bottom line is that just having those scents around probably won't stop the pesky insects from biting you.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of crunch, there’s an intense smoke flavor that’s just shy of overpowering, and a denseness similar to ham.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
Allen also hasn't been shy with his praise for his now-wife, particularly her support of his football career.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Nunes’ lone loss during her dominant stretch came against Peña.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
The lone exception was Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso and a former Republican member of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Air Force during the first Trump administration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share