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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backwater
The Arctic is no longer a frozen backwater.
—
Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for backwater
Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for backwater
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backwater
Noun
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Private yoga sessions, horseback riding, bike rides, and hikes through the surrounding countryside constitute much of Son Xotano’s wellness offering.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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Adding further to the overall tension is the looming presence of a murderous knight in full armor roaming the countryside.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its frontiers with Arab neighbors have shifted as a result of wars, annexations, ceasefires and peace agreements.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The remains of around 10 young men were found — raising questions about whether the deaths were related to frontier conflict or judicial killings.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In November 1995, Funston took a 5-year-old boy into some bushes, pulled down his pants and orally copulated him, prosecutors said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Take the time to define and edge garden beds and trim bushes and dead branches from trees, says Manfredini.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But invading the second biggest country in Europe, after Russia itself, would be a potentially catastrophic prospect which would, surely, give a cold strategist like Putin pause for thought.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The company is one of many benefiting from a ramp up in military spending in many countries.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lost in that strange hinterland of under-23 football and not helped by serious injuries, Matheson’s career stalled at Wolves.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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Black lives don’t matter in Warwick Thornton’s fiercely original outback Western Wolfram, a surprisingly emotional genre piece that simmers with menace and doesn’t let up until the bloody finale.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Backwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backwater. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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