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as in withdrawn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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backward
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
In the video, the security guard who leaped into the crowd at the man who yanked at Eilish appeared to be thrown backward by him.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Mickey burst up out of the water and backward.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
However, planets can also bend space enough to lens the light of background stars.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
Get more aggressive with the play calling This applies to both Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose 3-4 scheme relies on a bend-but-don’t-break principle that at times feels too passive.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
In a second overhead video of the incident, there’s a fan who is shoved and falls backwards through the crowd before landing on the floor.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
In the video, the security guard who leaped into the crowd at the man who yanked at Eilish appeared to be thrown backward by him.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The team ran scenarios, including a backward push to induce forward pitching and a lateral force that caused rolling, and found the controller could stabilise the robot in both cases.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Mickey burst up out of the water and backward.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
The mascara comes with a flexible brush that bends to extend your lashes, and it’s formulated with bamboo extract and other ingredients that volumize and hydrate your lashes.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
However, planets can also bend space enough to lens the light of background stars.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
This wide-legged forward bend creates space not just along the backs of your legs but in the hip adductors of the inner thighs.
—Kate Pitts, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
Get more aggressive with the play calling This applies to both Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose 3-4 scheme relies on a bend-but-don’t-break principle that at times feels too passive.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Leadership sometimes slips back into being only results-driven.—
Samuel Burke,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Yash Raj Films is heading back to Britain in a big way.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Showing confidence the whole night that the outcome wouldn’t really be in doubt, BSU went for it seven times on fourth down, converting six of those.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Still down 20-17, the Razorbacks failed on fourth-and-5 from the Tennessee 25 later in the third quarter, and quarterback Taylen Green lost his second fumble of the game early in the fourth at the Arkansas 19.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, a request for a reverse waiver hearing was granted, along with a motion to not publish an image of the teenager.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The MagellanTV takeover follows Blue Ant listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange in August through a reverse takeover of Boat Rocker Media.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Upstairs, the loft-style rooms are decked out in designer furniture (specifically, Eames and Bertoia chairs), arched French windows, and polished concrete floors.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Such ambiguity works to the film’s advantage, as Leonberg focuses on Indy’s face and lets audiences project our own feelings onto the cocked head, the questioning expression, his brows arched in either curiosity or concern.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Most of these patients devoted hours every day to managing their condition.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Just because the administration has no legal authority to designate a domestic terrorist organization, Aceves said that does not mean the administration won’t devote a great amount of resources toward it.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Starmer made the announcement during a two-day trade mission aimed at strengthening ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
-
According to a China State Council directive, the country is aiming for AI adoption to reach 70% of the population by 2027 by imbuing various agents and other applications across core industries.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Featuring an ergonomic, curved back that will keep you comfortable long after dessert has finished, plus a plush foam seat, this set of four keeps things fresh and elegant.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
8 Oct. 2025
-
There was also the Capin — its surprising inspiration was the capybara, seen in its chocolate suede and golden braid motif on a curving open tote, offered in two sizes.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share