variants
or backwards
1
a
: toward the back or rear
She glanced backward over her shoulder.
b
: with the back foremost
Take three steps backward.
2
a
: in a reverse or contrary direction or way
Count backward from 10.
b
: toward the past
a journey backward in time
c
: toward a worse state
His new job felt like a step backward.
1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done or executed backward
a backward somersault
3
: less advanced in development or accomplishment than what is typical or expected
… said he felt the news media had given Jasper the image of a backward country town.—
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
: the part behind or past
… the dark backward … of time …—Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Synonyms
Adverb
Adjective
Examples of backward in a Sentence
Adverb
a sudden movement backward, not forward
I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward.
He pushed the throttle backward.
She took a small step backward.
a journey backward in time
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
Adjective
a technologically backward village that has no running water
a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going
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Recent Examples on the WebStav Poleg, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Karlsen is reeling backward and falling toward a marble step behind him.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The force of the crash caused her father Andy's seat to collapse backward, colliding with Taylor, who was strapped in her car seat.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
Authorities determined that Kessler fell backward and hit his head on the ground during the altercation.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Of course, that’s not the only way the Think Chair adjusts; the seat height moves up and down smoothly, the armrests can pivot or be moved forward or backward, and the backrest recline is easily adjusted with a knob.
—Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
The main safety admonitions are to never drive backward on the course, and never stop on the course, because another vehicle might be ripping by at top speed 30 seconds later.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
William placed his tribute, took a few steps backward and made a salute with his white-gloved hand.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
Stalter sat backward in a chair before diving into her own remix of the lyrics.
—Vulture, 11 Nov. 2023
WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
This interpretation of the situation is entirely backward.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 3 Nov. 2023
Xbox fans will now be hoping that Microsoft is taking its time readying one last surprise backward compatibility drop to bring some older Activision classics back to modern hardware.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2023
Afterward, a student guide wearing a backward baseball cap gave Julien and two other newcomers a tour.
—Trip Gabriel Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
In all, the Chargers’ sacks pushed the Jets backward 57 yards.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
Ferrell was certainly dressed for the occasion, with his headphones worn on top of his backward USC red cap.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 8 Oct. 2023
Lineman’s dream The 3-yard touchdown Oregon State left tackle Joshua Gray scored in the second quarter on a backward pass from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei marked the first time since 1996 that a Beavers lineman scored a rushing touchdown.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
But is this movement a defiant act of self-actualization or a backward slide into patriarchal norms?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Nov. 2023
Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023
Complete 20 shoulder rolls—10 forward and 10 backward—to ease soreness and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area.
—Mara Santilli, SELF, 11 Jan. 2023
Until Young flailed backward and officials whistled Doncic, again.
—Dallas News, 6 Feb. 2022
The miniature snake-in-a-backward-baseball-cap Yahama Ami.
—Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 26 Nov. 2022
Seconds later, the recording shows the mountain lion pounce from behind and wrest Piper backward.
—Susanne Ruststaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
Pullease then turns and grabs the officer by the neck while pushing her backward, the edited video released by the department shows.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 25 July 2022
When a claim is more general (e.g., a claim such as suppliers involved in making the garment treat their workers well), it can be ascertained through traceability data after it’s been produced (product-backward).
—Madhava Venkatesh Raghavan, Forbes, 2 June 2022
Lead actor winner Adrien Brody bounded onstage, grabbed Berry — who was presenting the award — and bent her backward, delivering a deep smooch to the stunned actress.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022
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Adverb
The sunsets go backward and forward like unsettled clocks.
—Stav Poleg, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Karlsen is reeling backward and falling toward a marble step behind him.
—Eli Saslow Erin Schaff, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2023
The force of the crash caused her father Andy's seat to collapse backward, colliding with Taylor, who was strapped in her car seat.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2023
Authorities determined that Kessler fell backward and hit his head on the ground during the altercation.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Of course, that’s not the only way the Think Chair adjusts; the seat height moves up and down smoothly, the armrests can pivot or be moved forward or backward, and the backrest recline is easily adjusted with a knob.
—Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
The main safety admonitions are to never drive backward on the course, and never stop on the course, because another vehicle might be ripping by at top speed 30 seconds later.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
William placed his tribute, took a few steps backward and made a salute with his white-gloved hand.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
Stalter sat backward in a chair before diving into her own remix of the lyrics.
—Vulture, 11 Nov. 2023
Adjective
However, one of the three red giants surprised them: Its mixed-mode signal was backward.
—WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
This interpretation of the situation is entirely backward.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 3 Nov. 2023
Xbox fans will now be hoping that Microsoft is taking its time readying one last surprise backward compatibility drop to bring some older Activision classics back to modern hardware.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2023
Afterward, a student guide wearing a backward baseball cap gave Julien and two other newcomers a tour.
—Trip Gabriel Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2023
In all, the Chargers’ sacks pushed the Jets backward 57 yards.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
Ferrell was certainly dressed for the occasion, with his headphones worn on top of his backward USC red cap.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 8 Oct. 2023
Lineman’s dream The 3-yard touchdown Oregon State left tackle Joshua Gray scored in the second quarter on a backward pass from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei marked the first time since 1996 that a Beavers lineman scored a rushing touchdown.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
But is this movement a defiant act of self-actualization or a backward slide into patriarchal norms?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Nov. 2023
Noun
Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023
Complete 20 shoulder rolls—10 forward and 10 backward—to ease soreness and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area.
—Mara Santilli, SELF, 11 Jan. 2023
Until Young flailed backward and officials whistled Doncic, again.
—Dallas News, 6 Feb. 2022
The miniature snake-in-a-backward-baseball-cap Yahama Ami.
—Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 26 Nov. 2022
Seconds later, the recording shows the mountain lion pounce from behind and wrest Piper backward.
—Susanne Ruststaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
Pullease then turns and grabs the officer by the neck while pushing her backward, the edited video released by the department shows.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 25 July 2022
When a claim is more general (e.g., a claim such as suppliers involved in making the garment treat their workers well), it can be ascertained through traceability data after it’s been produced (product-backward).
—Madhava Venkatesh Raghavan, Forbes, 2 June 2022
Lead actor winner Adrien Brody bounded onstage, grabbed Berry — who was presenting the award — and bent her backward, delivering a deep smooch to the stunned actress.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing backward
Articles Related to backward
Dictionary Entries Near backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
backward
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done backward
3
: slow in learning or development
backward nations
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on backward
Nglish: Translation of backward for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of backward for Arabic Speakers
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