BACK Synonyms: 183 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'back' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of back are advocate , champion , support , and uphold . While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling. // refusing to back the call for sanctions

Q: When can 'advocate' be used instead of 'back'?

While the synonyms advocate and back are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading. // advocated prison reform

Q: Where would 'champion' be a reasonable alternative to 'back'?

The words champion and back are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause. // championed the rights of children

Q: When might 'support' be a better fit than 'back'?

In some situations, the words support and back are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given. // supports waterfront development

Q: When is it sensible to use 'uphold' instead of 'back'?

The words uphold and back can be used in similar contexts, but uphold implies extended support given to something attacked. // upheld the legitimacy of the military action

back 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of back next

as in ago

earlier than the present time that's longer back than I can remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hence

as in around

toward the opposite direction turned back for one last comment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in backwards

toward the rear concert security asked the crowd to move back

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

2 of 4

noun

ˈbak

as in rear

a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

back

3 of 4

verb

as in to advocate

to promote the interests or cause of she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

4 of 4

adjective

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word back different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of back are advocate, champion, support, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can advocate be used instead of back?

While the synonyms advocate and back are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would champion be a reasonable alternative to back?

The words champion and back are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When might support be a better fit than back?

In some situations, the words support and back are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of back?

The words uphold and back can be used in similar contexts, but uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

Examples 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 back

Adverb

This beloved series, hailed for its unique take on family life, will make its way back to the screen with new episodes, reinstating its original wit and charm. —

Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 With the premiere that released on Friday, the Dexter franchise quite literally roared back to life by resurrecting Dexter (played in an onscreen appearance by Hall). —

Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024

Noun

Lie flat on your back with your feet facing the south and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Leaders should ensure their organizations are ready with an action plan from the front, middle and back offices and that their technology platforms are capable of addressing this ruling. —

Deep Varma, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Verb

Dominican officials, backed by a strict new immigration policy, say the goal is to deport 10,000 migrants per week. —

Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024 Yet some Arab Americans who backed Trump have begun expressing concerns about his some of his choices to fill out his Cabinet and other picks for his incoming administration. —

Will Weissert The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Mangione’s outlook on the industry may have been shaped by his own experience with chronic back pain. —

Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024 Mangione underwent surgery to treat back pain in recent years, according to a friend and online postings. —

Tami Luhby, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for back

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back

Adverb

Glass is expected arrive in Fayetteville around 2 p.m. Monday and leave Tuesday afternoon.

Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Kat Merck The Best Camera Bags, Straps, and Backpacks Tote your photo and video gear around in style.

Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024