as in countryside
a rural region that forms the edge of the settled or developed part of a country
a distant backwater that didn't even have electricity at that time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backwater
But in reality, playing in that kind of backwater only exposes gamblers to more risk.
—
David K. Li, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
In less than a year, this sea service has gone from an underfunded and troubled bureaucratic backwater to an elite, globe-spanning defense force, right at the center of American maritime law enforcement.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The nightclub, located along the Arpora River backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the firefighters to park their tankers about 1,300 feet away, delaying the efforts, the news agency said.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
It’s described as a love letter to the beaches, backwaters and basements of a misunderstood yet magical state.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backwater
David K. Li, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
In less than a year, this sea service has gone from an underfunded and troubled bureaucratic backwater to an elite, globe-spanning defense force, right at the center of American maritime law enforcement.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The nightclub, located along the Arpora River backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the firefighters to park their tankers about 1,300 feet away, delaying the efforts, the news agency said.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
It’s described as a love letter to the beaches, backwaters and basements of a misunderstood yet magical state.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backwater
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backwater
Noun
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Perched on a hilltop in the scenic countryside, the luxurious fort can be rented for roughly $13,300 per night.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
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The show’s postcard-ready shots of the northern countryside, with its verdant hills and winding roads, are another incongruity, belying the challenges of survival there for those on the fringes.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For Catalonia, the remaining frontier is scale.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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India and Beijing had summit-level engagement despite enduring border tensions along the Himalayan frontier.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hwange provides a more secluded bush experience than many safari destinations.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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Encasing the entire property, from the street, past the 5,600 square-foot mansion and around those nice bushes, is a paved driveway that spills into a private cul-de-sac next to the garage.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to internal administration documents reviewed by The Associated Press, there are 47 third-country agreements at various stages of negotiation.—
STEPHEN GROVES,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Indeed, each of these three countries have sought to offer support to Cuba in recent days.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Topics ranged from the connection between housing and economic development to the presence of NIMBYism in America’s hinterland.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Quick, frequent rail connections between a large city and its hinterland are a fundamental of modern economic geography.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Users were able to comment on posts about the Australian outback incident by local news outlets.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
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The musical comedy, chronicling the lives of outback Aussie teens attending a debutante ball, was due to release today, January 15, in Australia.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backwater. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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