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as in withdrawn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
Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Clip: Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hand, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 2 June 2025
The visitor center offers an overview of the rock art; the park managers don’t disclose the rock-art locations because the works are prone to erosion, but a web of hiking trails in the park introduces the stone overhangs and river bends that might once have provided refuge.
—Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 26 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
Don’t crouch or bend over: A mountain lion could perceive you as prey.
—Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Clip: Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hand, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025
Noun
Cast a dry fly on the meandering bends of Slough Creek, one of Yellowstone’s most productive cutthroat fisheries.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 2 June 2025
The visitor center offers an overview of the rock art; the park managers don’t disclose the rock-art locations because the works are prone to erosion, but a web of hiking trails in the park introduces the stone overhangs and river bends that might once have provided refuge.
—Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
As Jane O’Brien, the hotel historian, told us on a tour of the property, the land on which the castle stands belonged to the O’Brien family, which traces its lineage back to Brian Boru, Ireland’s high king in the early 11th century.—
Peter Terzian,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
After a brief break early next week for places like Portland, the heat will ramp back up by midweek with highs back in the mid-90s on Wednesday.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
Consider traveling with a compact Starlink Mini, as satellite internet often remains operational even when other internet services are down.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
-
This was down from 17,972 in the prior financial year, and below a forecast 16,800-17,200.—
Royston Wild,
Forbes.com,
15 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
-
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
-
It is best observed from dark sky locations far from bright city lights, and appears as a faint, cloud-like band arching across the sky toward the south.—
John Tufts,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
-
The gracefully arching evergreen foliage is edged in golden yellow, perfect for brightening shady gardens or porch pots year-round.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 June 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
-
The city aims to partner with an expert nonprofit to manage the shelter, while holding on to it long term.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
8 July 2025
-
His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
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
-
Bad Idea occupies more than 5,000 square feet of space, with 25-foot curving ceilings and tall windows that welcome in the fading light as the sun sets.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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