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 around
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as in withdrawn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
1
as in to arch
to cause to turn away from a straight line
she bent the blade of the knife when she got it jammed in the drawer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention
bent herself to the task for the rest of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
bent all of his efforts toward making his first documentary film
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to distort
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
attorneys bending the facts to put their client in the most favorable light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to attach
to cause (something) to hold to another
bend a leash to the dog's collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curvature
something that curves or is curved
it's hard to see around that bend in the road, so be careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of backward
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sarandos said the company is looking ahead and not backward.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Sangalang, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Now, Enbang Li’s simple, three-foot-long device can bend light and could open up multiple new applications for mapping, monitoring, and navigation systems.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Two families, one hiking up, the other hiking down, were chatting and sharing insights at a bend in the trail.
—Bing Pan, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Because of that, law enforcement usually focuses on the people closest to the victim and works backward.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
This is the first perpetual calendar whose displays and its moon phase can be adjusted both forward and backward through a single crown position.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sarandos said the company is looking ahead and not backward.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
In addition to building damage or palm trees that bend from strong wind, the image of car tops peeking through floodwaters has become synonymous with Florida hurricanes.
—Jennifer Sangalang, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Now, Enbang Li’s simple, three-foot-long device can bend light and could open up multiple new applications for mapping, monitoring, and navigation systems.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
During construction, Rongers said the trail will be blocked off at a bend, about 75 to 100 feet before Stanley Street, where the path now ends.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Two families, one hiking up, the other hiking down, were chatting and sharing insights at a bend in the trail.
—Bing Pan, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan shot back, quoting a soldier from the CBS report, that telling the truth is important.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The charity has around 450 members, after more than 100 joined last year.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After a few days of awkward deflections and a viral PR shutdown, Paige Bueckers finally addressed the topic everyone has been dancing around — her romantic relationship with Azzi Fudd.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1935, the league’s founders met at the Fort Pitt Hotel and voted unanimously to put in place a selection process in reverse order of the previous season’s standings.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The King of the Mountain match was essentially a reverse ladder match that included a penalty box for those who were pinned – which is also featured in the Iron Survivor Challenge that takes place during WWE NXT events.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
My mom’s eyebrows arch like crawling caterpillars and then straighten out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Back on the highway, the rearview mirror showed the clouds had lifted, the waters were still, and a rainbow had arched across the sky.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The situation stems from the commendable liberal impulse to devote extensive resources to public education.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
News outlets devoted round-the-clock coverage to Jackson, and MTV dedicated its programming almost exclusively to the musician.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Paramount Skydance last year unveiled a new ad format for its Paramount+ streamer that aims to create new value for streaming inventory.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act aimed to prevent mapmakers from weakening the voting power of racial minorities by either packing them into one district or spreading them out across too many districts to have an impact.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All communal areas can be reached by curving but steep paths.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Depending on the positioning of this wing, the robot can glide forward or curve back toward its starting point.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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