1
2
3
as in backward
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
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Recent Examples of back
Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The curator arranged for the work to be restored at Schweitzer’s expense, but after no sale materialized, the watercolor was sent back to Schweitzer’s secretary in Paris in 1939.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
In his exclusive interview with ESPN, Peterson shouted out former KU players Bryson Tiller and Melvin Council for having his back.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Arteta’s side finished eighth that year and backed it up with another disappointing eighth-place finish in the coach’s first full season in charge.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Golden State fell 90-82 to Indiana last week as Clark finished with 22 points and nine assists after returning from a back injury.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Adverb
Attacks on statutory rights are pushing these countries back to conditions reminiscent of the late nineteenth century, when poverty and slums were the norm for a working class with no social safety net.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The curator arranged for the work to be restored at Schweitzer’s expense, but after no sale materialized, the watercolor was sent back to Schweitzer’s secretary in Paris in 1939.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
Investigators found multiple bullet holes in the Silverado’s tailgate and back windshield, the affidavit states.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
In his exclusive interview with ESPN, Peterson shouted out former KU players Bryson Tiller and Melvin Council for having his back.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Verb
Gualtieri backed himself into a corner once Jones threw a flurry of powerful shots upstairs.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Arteta’s side finished eighth that year and backed it up with another disappointing eighth-place finish in the coach’s first full season in charge.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Adjective
Nearly a dozen people were eating on the back patio which shares a fence with the Raso's house.
—Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Golden State fell 90-82 to Indiana last week as Clark finished with 22 points and nine assists after returning from a back injury.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
The journey to this point began almost a century ago and hundreds of miles away in China, when Mao Zedong reshaped Marxist–Leninist theory to fit the pre-industrial conditions of his country.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Snell underwent surgery 10 days ago to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adverb
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All this self-agonizing left the rest of the cast and crew waiting around for hours, their goodwill draining away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Aniston gave the classic style a relaxed update while appearing in an Instagram clip with Courteney Cox, opting for loose cut-off jean shorts with subtle distressing that felt casual and easy to move around in.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
The full weight of it slammed me backward into the kitchen island, pinning my lower back and hips.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
-
And the inverse modeling approach the authors use (start with the observed planet population, work backward to the physics that produced it) is necessarily statistical rather than deterministic.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
There is a lot of heavy machinery at work behind the magic, from Brad Gardner leading an actual 20-piece orchestra (unseen till the end at the rear of the stage, presumably being too big for the pit) to Jason Sherwood’s scenic design to Raquel Adorno’s costumes.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
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Every model now includes a semi-transparent rear to show off the fluorescent liquid cooling effect, previously an optional upgrade.—
Dominic Preston,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Anyone familiar with a roast expects the comedians to go for the jugular, but when someone with actual grooming allegations gets called a pedophile, one questions whether the punchline really was meant to be a joke.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
-
Wolf packs on the hunt encircled their prey—typically elk—clamping at the jugular when their target grew weary from the chase.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With multiple lawsuits and an impending Supreme Court ruling poised to shape TPS nationwide, advocates hail the Lebanese extension but warn that hundreds of thousands still lack a permanent solution.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Even as a non-member, I’ve been actively engaged in advocating for our community, pushing for stronger mitigation for small businesses, better communication with residents, and a more balanced approach that considers both the importance of transportation and resident needs.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn) and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
25 May 2026
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But this would require a more discriminating choice of clients, to avoid aiding wars like Saudi Arabia’s brutal campaign in Yemen or Israel’s mass slaughter in Gaza.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Economic analysis in the January 2026 White House Council of Economic Advisors report reinforces the advantages of this approach.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
It is also intended to support rehabilitation, repairing harm to the community and those directly impacted by the offender’s action, and reinforcing community norms and values.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
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 30 May. 2026.
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