behind 1 of 4

1
as in back of
at, to, or toward the rear of she preferred to be behind the lead hikers, who were always too much in a rush to enjoy the scenery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order we arrived behind them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

2 of 4

adverb

behind

3 of 4

adjective

behind

4 of 4

noun

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 behind
Preposition
Opening your windows or door, if possible, whether first thing in the morning, while cooking, or even during your after-dinner cleanup, can help wipe out any odors that might be lingering in your space, leaving behind the natural allure of the great outdoors. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025 Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
Hugo Gonzalez is the team’s leading receiver with 43 receptions for 571 yards, although another Gonzalez, Cristiaan, isn’t far behind with 486 yards on 26 receptions with five TDs. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025 The ship was behind on maintenance and was run too hard, often carrying loads weighing 10% to 20% more than it was certified to carry, Nelson said. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Those victories have been followed with a come-from-behind, 41-38 win at Miami (Ohio), a good 31-17 win at Wyoming and another comeback, a 51-48 win at Air Force in which the Falcons missed a game-tying field goal as time expired. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025 According to the San Diego Police Department, two female joggers were grabbed on the behind by another jogger — one at the end of June in the Mount Soledad area and one in late July in the Pacific Beach area. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
Preposition
  • Not in any explicit way—my father wasn’t the cranky, alcoholic ex-minor league baseball player who drove around Los Angeles with his pool cleaning equipment in the back of his Cadillac convertible played by Matthau.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • As officers attempted to make arrests, two suspects allegedly picked up a chair and hurled it at one of the officers, striking him in the back of the head.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Preposition
  • One year after taking the helm, Niccol’s restructuring plan – including menu pare-back as well as store closures and remodeling – has shown mixed results.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement His campaign website states that after rent, childcare is the biggest cost for New York’s working families.
    Connor Greene, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Union Square, which was to be my neighborhood for the next twenty-five years, was off limits after dark back then.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In a live video, Khan indicated that there is a rich history with the National Championship, extending back to the days of Georgia Wrestling, which Schiavone was associated with.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The delayed sentencing hearing is set for April 15 in the circuit court.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • How to Protect Your Luggage From Bed Bugs From delayed flights to lost luggage, travel is already anxiety-inducing enough without adding these pervasive pests to the mix.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The margin will narrow by one seat once the government reopens and the winner of a special election, Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, is sworn in.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Democrats also performed well in one red state election, flipping two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • When moved rearward, the driver-side mattress folds and the front part of the bed base telescopes inside the larger rear section so the dinette can be expanded and used comfortably up front.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Hall could not be reached immediately for comment by telephone late Wednesday afternoon.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In late 2020 and early 2021, under 6 percent of mortgaged homebuyers were using VA loans, according to Redfin.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
    Evan Moore November 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The bottle opener is roughly hand sized, with the tail acting as the cap lifter.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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