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as in withdrawn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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backward
Riley Moser, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Following the health scare — which drew speculation and worry from fans who’d watched the viral video of Young stumbling and dropping her microphone before falling backward — Young canceled the remainder of her tour, which included a 21-stop North American run.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Weerakone pointed to ongoing initiatives to expand textile manufacturing capacity within Sri Lanka, particularly along the east coast, as part of a broader push toward backward integration.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
But according to Ripa, all Seacrest had to do was bend over to pick up a tissue for his trousers to tear.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Even modest savings per bend add up.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Charges say surveillance video from the day care shows the woman picking up a child and falling backward into the wall, also slamming the child's head into the wall.
—Riley Moser, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Following the health scare — which drew speculation and worry from fans who’d watched the viral video of Young stumbling and dropping her microphone before falling backward — Young canceled the remainder of her tour, which included a 21-stop North American run.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Achane, who had 1,838 yards from scrimmage last season (1,350 yards rushing, 488 yards receiving) falls forward, not backward, at the end of plays despite weighing 191 pounds.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Weerakone pointed to ongoing initiatives to expand textile manufacturing capacity within Sri Lanka, particularly along the east coast, as part of a broader push toward backward integration.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the footage the woman bends, loops her fingers around the laces, once, twice, grass stains on her knees.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
But according to Ripa, all Seacrest had to do was bend over to pick up a tissue for his trousers to tear.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
As the temperature drops, the cold causes the protein to shift into a more stable state in which one of its key structural pillars bends sharply, breaks away from its neighbor and straightens out.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026
Even modest savings per bend add up.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Phelps arrived at Boise State as a walk-on and was treated as a defensive back at first.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The video ends as the driver retrieves what appears to be a firearm from the street, before both men climb back onto the scooter and ride off-screen.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The *ahem* ebike is powered by a removable 48-volt, 20-Ah battery (around 960 Wh) that Cyrusher says will net you about 68 miles (~110 km) of range on a charge – and another 6-7 hours to recharge.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Marcus sees herself taking the pill long term, with a goal of losing around 30 pounds.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Additional studies into a mother’s reverse aging processes have suggested that the fetus may have a rejuvenating effect on the mother.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Using a reverse image search is a simple way to do this.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 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
-
One of the most common mistakes, Williams said, is failing to properly brace the core, which can cause the lower back to arch and the spine to fall out of alignment.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sami’s hair and beard were gray, and his thick eyebrows arched over his tired walnut eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The upper levels are devoted exclusively to computer science, with administrative offices, individual faculty offices, and smaller research and study spaces for students.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But the destruction cuts deep for the couple, who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of music.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The program is part of Film Independent’s broader Artist Development initiatives, which aim to support emerging filmmakers through labs, mentorship and grants.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arbat might even derive from gorbat (hunchback), because the road curved in and around streams.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
On the exterior of a white-walled building with a curving roof—a production facility where steel parts for the company’s eponymous pistol are manufactured—hung an enormous billboard.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
