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as in withdrawn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
Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The echidna — fittingly known as the spiny anteater — lives entirely on land, is covered in pointy quills and has rear feet that face backward, kicking up dirt as the animal burrows into the ground.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
These armrests are engineered to deliver unmatched flexibility and comfort, allowing 6 cm (2.4 in) height adjustment, 5 cm (2 in) multi-dimensional forward and backward movements, and complete 360-degree rotation.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025
Entitled passengers often try to bend the boarding rules or simply cut the line to get on the pane sooner, hoping not to be caught.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 14 May 2025
Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2025
To stretch and strengthen your feet, try the following:
To stretch the calf and heel, try heel cord stretches: Stand facing a wall, placing the unaffected leg forward with a slight knee bend and the affected leg straight behind with the heel flat.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Simpson gripped the tool from the left, shimmying backward in her teal Nikes.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The echidna — fittingly known as the spiny anteater — lives entirely on land, is covered in pointy quills and has rear feet that face backward, kicking up dirt as the animal burrows into the ground.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Walk feet forward or backward to decrease or intensify the stretch in the back of the body.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
These armrests are engineered to deliver unmatched flexibility and comfort, allowing 6 cm (2.4 in) height adjustment, 5 cm (2 in) multi-dimensional forward and backward movements, and complete 360-degree rotation.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
The goofy novelty of AI making adequate songs out of taboo subjects will fade, but millions bending the knee to robotic mediocrity isn’t going away anytime soon.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025
Entitled passengers often try to bend the boarding rules or simply cut the line to get on the pane sooner, hoping not to be caught.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
The cards were stacked against us, though; the turkeys quickly disappeared around a bend in the canyon, half a mile below, still going strong.
—Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2025
To stretch and strengthen your feet, try the following:
To stretch the calf and heel, try heel cord stretches: Stand facing a wall, placing the unaffected leg forward with a slight knee bend and the affected leg straight behind with the heel flat.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
He was ordered to pay back $9,402,678 in restitution and serve 10 years on probation.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
Just a few blocks from arrival, the car lurched toward the other lane—which was, thankfully, empty—and immediately jerked back.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2025
Adverb
-
The slider was really good, back door for strikes, down and under for chases.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
-
Other young Americans are waiting for borrowing costs to go down.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The motor can shut down entirely on landing and even reverse prop to slow.—
Joe Salas
May 07,
New Atlas,
7 May 2025
-
Lisa preached the use of traditional techniques (namely reverse appliqué), colors (black, orange, and burgundy), and shapes (typically geometric abstractions of natural features, such as brain corals).—
Mark Johanson,
AFAR Media,
22 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
-
Some arch their bodies upward, extending feathery tentacles into the water to capture plankton.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
-
Foliage is held on long arching stems tinged with maroon hues.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Arantxa devotes half her verse to saying her name, Dovima looks bored, Vulcano is an awkward, lumbering giant, and everyone looks like they’re dressed for a different universe.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
-
Some 41 years later in 2024 and have devoted herself to a successful political career, adult Marlene strives to make meaningful societal change.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The prestigious pilot initiative, developed by South Africa’s Big World Cinema in collaboration with the Bertha Foundation, aims to tackle persistent industry barriers faced by mid-career African film and television producers.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
21 May 2025
-
The team aims to identify solutions to mitigate or eliminate environmental contaminants and risks through not only physical building improvements, but also by providing families and property owners and managers with tools and resources to create healthier spaces.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Jay Hook had a degree in engineering and was the rare pitcher who could explain how a curveball curves.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
-
Her one-shoulder design was perfectly tailored to curve to her body for sleek yet stylish sophistication.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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