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 down
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as in withdrawn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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the tale of Benjamin Button, who is born with the appearance and strength of an elderly man and ultimately ages backward into infancy.
—Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Bill Hineline, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Victor states that intention from the first scene in an award-winning screenplay that jumps forward and backward in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
As long as your outfit offers enough coverage when moving through the terminal, bending down for luggage, and sitting in a tight airplane seat, a skirt can be a great airport choice.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
While older games in the series relied heavily on memorizing courses and perpetually driving with precision around every bend, there’s now a lot more ways to play catch up and get ahead.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
The docking pilot directed the ship to move backward – instructions that were acknowledged by the captain, translated into Spanish and relayed to crewmembers, the report said.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the tale of Benjamin Button, who is born with the appearance and strength of an elderly man and ultimately ages backward into infancy.
—Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
That backward approach can lead to data overload and unclear goals.
—Bill Hineline, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Victor states that intention from the first scene in an award-winning screenplay that jumps forward and backward in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 July 2025
Verb
Trump's first appearance at NATO since returning to the White House was supposed to center on how the U.S. secured the historic military spending pledge from others in the alliance, effectively bending it to its will.
—Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
As long as your outfit offers enough coverage when moving through the terminal, bending down for luggage, and sitting in a tight airplane seat, a skirt can be a great airport choice.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
Noun
Brian Daboll told the Giants’ players before their final minicamp practice that their spring progress was encouraging, given what is coming around the bend.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
While older games in the series relied heavily on memorizing courses and perpetually driving with precision around every bend, there’s now a lot more ways to play catch up and get ahead.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
There are also central 5-megapixel cameras front and back.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
12 July 2025
-
McManus brought stability back to what had been the weakest spot on the roster and was a big reason Green Bay earned a trip to the postseason.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
While that’s down from 88% in 2024, these same folks feel less prepared across all six areas Accenture surveyed.—
Sumeet Salwan,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
These styles can be dressed up or down for any itinerary, and they’re elevated enough for even the most fashionable destinations.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
On the precipice of artificial intelligence (AI) robotics, the company executed a 1-for-8 reverse split intended to streamline internal structures for future growth.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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But even if writing about Paris helped ease the transition, my mind was still flailing in this last codified stage, reverse language shock.—
Benedict Nguyễn
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Give them a container with room to grow, and the arching stems will eventually reach 18 inches in height.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
-
The national park is characterized by gently rising hills with low-growing vegetation, as well as forested areas where stone bridges arch over small rivers.—
Mike Nolan,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Alaska ranks third, with residents devoting about 14 percent of their monthly income to premiums.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
Now, Koller is devoting much of her time to her lifelong passion for blending biology and machine learning as CEO and founder of insitro, a drug discovery and development company.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
By placing teachers at the center of innovation, the AFT and its partners aim to ensure that the next generation of students learns not just reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also how to use artificial intelligence wisely and with purpose.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Its two-step function—first delivering a light mist to loosen mucus, followed by gentle suction—aims to make nasal clearing more efficient and less disruptive.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Instead of straight paths, employ a curving pathway to reveal one part of the garden at a time.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
-
Enormous live oaks shade many of the curving pathways, and sycamores, replanted during the 1990s renovation of the Capitol Complex, line the formal processional walk to the south of the baroque domed structure.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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