1
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction
turned back for one last comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backwards
toward the rear
concert security asked the crowd to move back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jugular
a vulnerable point
a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to advocate
to promote the interests or cause of
she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
a number of influential people have already agreed to back the candidate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reinforce
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea)
the author needs to back her thesis with more facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hind
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part
she carried all the presents in the back door, as the children were playing in the front yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of back
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025
The people who approached reportedly began firing and at least one person in Robinson’s group shot back.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Police said that Bradford could be heard yelling for witnesses to call the police before Gadson shot him in the back.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
Williams hit a 3-pointer to cap a massive comeback in regulation and then backed his way into a game-winner at the rim with seven seconds left in overtime, sending the Red Raiders to an 85-83 win over the Razorbacks and into an Elite Eight matchup with No. 1 seed Florida.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Smith-Wade should see competition this summer, whether from a veteran or a draft pick, and the back half of the depth group will be pushed as well.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Reeves said welfare cuts already set out last week are estimated to save £4.8 billion in the welfare budget, and would boost measures to get people back into work.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025
The people who approached reportedly began firing and at least one person in Robinson’s group shot back.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
Though her choreography is more measured than that of her daughters or the ensemble, her striking presence is felt all the way to the back row of the Harris Theater.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Police said that Bradford could be heard yelling for witnesses to call the police before Gadson shot him in the back.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Radio and Television Supreme Council member Ilhan Tasci said that other channels backing the opposition were fined and handed program suspensions over their protest coverage.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
Williams hit a 3-pointer to cap a massive comeback in regulation and then backed his way into a game-winner at the rim with seven seconds left in overtime, sending the Red Raiders to an 85-83 win over the Razorbacks and into an Elite Eight matchup with No. 1 seed Florida.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
While more left-leaning Democrats have ripped moderate Democrats in Congress for voting in support of Trump's nominations and some of his agenda, others say the party needs to shift to the center to win back independents.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Smith-Wade should see competition this summer, whether from a veteran or a draft pick, and the back half of the depth group will be pushed as well.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
Put up photos of nature, move your desk around, or paint a wall with chalkboard paint for ideating.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
WhatsApp WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that has been around since 2009.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, the ride has geometric shapes adorning its Blu Corse Matte bodywork, coming together in the rear to create a trident, which, of course, is the marque’s logo.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Finally, the power supply is plugged into the socket on the turntable’s rear before turning on the mains power.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Almost straight from the restart, France pressured Argentina into a hurried clearance, and from there France went straight for the jugular.—
Jonathan Clegg,
WSJ,
18 Dec. 2022
-
Monica goes for the jugular, among other vulnerable body parts.—
Charles McNultyTheater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Dec. 2022
Verb
-
Supporters commended the 46-year-old for his approach to child-raising and advocated for more fathers to follow suit while also agreeing with the actor that there was a war against masculinity.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Portfolio management textbooks have long advocated viewing asset allocation in terms of asset classes.—
Chris Carosa,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Ivey’s coaching staff also casts a web of support to protect her from outside noise and aid her vision for the team’s present and future.—
Sharí Nycole,
Essence,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Strong winds and dry conditions aided the spread of the fires.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Results from 2024, with total grosses slipping 4% from 2023 to $8.57 billion, the number of wide releases down 6% from pre-Covid levels, and other factors have only reinforced his view.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The Dodgers are heavy favorites to defend their World Series crown, and a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series last week only reinforced their front-runner status.—
Mark Ross,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Wicked actor Marissa Bode fell backward in her wheelchair while filming 'Dancing Through Life' Those who know Wicked or even The Wizard of Oz likely know Nessarose's ultimate fate, which will come in Wicked: For Good (in theaters Nov. 21).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Titian’s Adam leans backward on his right arm; his left hand, which rests limply on Eve’s upper breast, appears hardly capable of stopping her.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Small business owners often have a soft spot for young people with hustle.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Marner found the puck, floated into a soft spot between the dots and ripped a riser over Jeremy Swayman’s glove.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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