behind 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of behindnext
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

as in back

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

behind

3 of 4

adjective

bi-ˈhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time the required work was behind, so now we're running late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

4 of 4

noun

ˈbē-ˌhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits cleaned the baby's behind

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The study, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham and Tohoku University in Japan, examined wild Euhadra snails to understand the biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon, known as chirality. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 An uncharacteristic stretch during the 2024 and 2025 seasons is well behind them, as the Warriors are playing some of the best football in the Fort Worth area. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Sustained text generation is another story, as the Asus RTX Spark churns out 28 tokens per second, getting left behind by the MacBook Pro's 58 TPS. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 What mattered was that this guy Penny had come up and grabbed Neely from behind and killed him. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The chefs are running super-behind, so service is slow. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 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
Shortsleeve sits well-behind Minogue and Healey, with just $602,051 in cash on hand. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026 Green Dot has been handed a new group of far-behind students every single year. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
  1. back of
  2. after
  3. back
  4. delayed
  5. seat
  6. rearward
  7. late
  8. tail
Preposition
  • Tear gas filled the area, and Nathaniel saw two attackers in the back of a pickup with automatic weapons.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Hidden at the back of the dining room, along the wall of Japanese pantry products and behind a display of snacks is a narrow display of bento.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of back of
Preposition
  • The new concealer was originally launched as the Wide Awake Brightening Concealer alongside the Wide Awake Brightening Neutralizer, but ran into controversy just days after launch.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rays batters struck out 13 times after combining for 14 in the first two games.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • Antetokounmpo also blocked a Noah Clowney dunk attempt a few minutes later, and then got the ball back for a spinning finger roll on the other end.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Already, two bipartisan groups of senators have pushed back on the decision, including seven Republicans.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • In a later video clip posted to his TikTok, Ash could be seen FaceTiming his social media manager, explaining that the group’s paperwork caused the delayed entry.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The delayed flight was one of two crises that Haitian officials faced on Thursday with deportees being returned from the United States.
    — Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • The supplier will still need to complete development, testing and certification before the seats enter production.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For a company increasingly focused on taking humans out of the driver’s seat, the Roadster reminds us that driving can still be part of the attraction.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of seat
Adverb
  • The floor plan centers around a single- or dual-seat lounge that faces rearward to provide views through the open entryway.
    — C.C. Weiss May 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of rearward
Adjective
  • Coalition adviser Claude Ibalanky said at a news conference late Monday at Kabila's residence in the eastern city of Goma that the FRN's mission is to restore the pillars of a functioning republic.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Bay Area rapper’s latest record boasts vivid scenes and careful character studies, backed by live instrumentation and occasionally staid samples.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of late
Noun
  • Tuck drumstick ends under band of skin across the tail if present or tie drumsticks securely to tail using 100%- cotton kitchen string.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026
  • My barometer will always be whether the AI is the tail that’s wagging the dog.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of tail

Phrases Containing behind

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behests
behind
behind bars
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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about behind

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