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as in withdrawn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
Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
To achieve this end, the American officials negotiating a peace agreement should learn from the failure of the 2022 Istanbul talks between Kyiv and Moscow, which treated a political settlement as the goal and worked backward toward a cease-fire.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Ribbed tanks, for example, can become tube tops and halters and skirts when worn forward, backward or upside down.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Mar. 2025
Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The government’s solutions to bending the cost curve have largely failed and, in some cases, unintentionally exacerbated underlying problems, the focus of my last book, Bringing Value to Healthcare.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Jacob Louraine, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Rent from any of the various sports equipment centers in town, lather up with sunscreen, and float down the crystal clear river where alpine vistas are always just around the bend.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
To hit your target, work backward to find the number of deals needed based on your average deal size and win rate.
—Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
To achieve this end, the American officials negotiating a peace agreement should learn from the failure of the 2022 Istanbul talks between Kyiv and Moscow, which treated a political settlement as the goal and worked backward toward a cease-fire.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Hummingbirds are a fan favorite of avid bird watchers due to their spunky personalities and impressive flying tricks (flying upside-down and backward!).
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Ribbed tanks, for example, can become tube tops and halters and skirts when worn forward, backward or upside down.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Wilkinson’s conservative pedigree may complicate White House efforts to credibly assail him as a left-leaning jurist bent on thwarting the Trump administration’s agenda for political purposes, a fallback line of attack when judicial decisions run counter to the president’s wishes.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The government’s solutions to bending the cost curve have largely failed and, in some cases, unintentionally exacerbated underlying problems, the focus of my last book, Bringing Value to Healthcare.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
Columbia Rounding the bend with just two laps remaining in Saturday’s 3,000-meter final, Missouri’s Drew Rogers ran in the eighth position, hugging the back of the lead pack.
—Jacob Louraine, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Rent from any of the various sports equipment centers in town, lather up with sunscreen, and float down the crystal clear river where alpine vistas are always just around the bend.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Suddenly, the scoreboard told a different story — and Charlotte never gave the lead back.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Johan Rojas, who hit 3 for 5 out of the nine-hole, was effective at turning the lineup back over to Bryson Stott (3 for 5, three RBI) and Trea Turner (4 for 5, two RBI), who combined for seven hits and five RBI.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
But Trump's net approval on his handling of the economy was -12 percentage points, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, down from -7 the week prior and +12 at the beginning of the term.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Minnesota was down by 15 points when Edwards took a pass from Julius Randle, gathered himself and attacked the basket.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Known for its reverse chronological storytelling, the noir thriller stars Rainn Wilson, Wyatt Russell, Ron Livingston, and more.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Even though return volumes are rising, reverse supply chains are actually underdeveloped.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Its influence on the withdrawn protagonist, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is largely implied.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In the bottom of the first inning on Opening Day 2023, Aaron Judge clobbered a high, arching narrative over the center-field wall, and that was it.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This tough shrub puts on a stunning spring display, with showy rose-like blooms lining gracefully arching branches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The store also devoted four windows on Fifth Avenue to the collection, which will remain through April 30.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The organization devoted a team to research fan sections across college sports, European leagues and around the world, which eventually led to the concept for The Wall.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After several years of blockbuster growth in the remodeling and design business, the White House’s erratic rollout of tariffs aimed at reshaping global trade is already taking a toll.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The following table of net yields aims to deliver rough justice to the situation.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Concave tiles, which curve inward, and convex tiles, which curve outward, are installed at different levels along the seawall.—
Sara Pezeshk,
The Conversation,
16 Apr. 2025
-
After completing Slither Housing in 2000, an angular yet gently curved 105-unit apartment building in Japan’s Gifu prefecture, the husband-and-wife team increasingly turned its attentions to cultural architecture.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share