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
1
as in supporter
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
backers of prison reform held a rally in front of the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing
all financial backers will be expected to offer some input into the company's decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ally
someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support
the student's backers spoke at the school board meeting on her behalf
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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Despite estranged star Jimmy Butler serving the second half of his two-game suspension back in Miami, the Heat snapped their recent skid with a 106-97 win over the scuffling Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Saturday.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant will interview with the Chicago Bears for their defensive coordinator job, McVay said.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Sandra Barrera, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
The Traitors have backed themselves into a corner and don’t seem to have many options left.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Emily Weaver, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The 18-person dining room table and the back wall of the glass wine vault are carved from Patagonia-Brazilian onyx.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back 
Adverb
The former Lakers and Pelicans point guard has had a long way back to being on the court.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Despite estranged star Jimmy Butler serving the second half of his two-game suspension back in Miami, the Heat snapped their recent skid with a 106-97 win over the scuffling Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Saturday.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
Johnson also has hired Al Harris to coach the Bears defensive backs.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant will interview with the Chicago Bears for their defensive coordinator job, McVay said.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
There’s an infinity pool, spa and heated loggias backed by panoramic views.
—Sandra Barrera, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025
The Traitors have backed themselves into a corner and don’t seem to have many options left.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
It’s equipped with three front-facing zippered pockets, a back zippered pocket, five card slots, and a headphone cable hole.
—Emily Weaver, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025
The 18-person dining room table and the back wall of the glass wine vault are carved from Patagonia-Brazilian onyx.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
Clouds of smoke could be seen coming from flames as crowds of onlookers frantically gathered around.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The ceasefire came over a year after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Prince William advocates for conservation like his father King Charles, and the Duchy of Cornwall has an ambitious goal to become net zero by the end of 2032.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Advocates call it 'cruel,' 'lawless.’ More than 175 organizations that advocate for women’s and transgender rights blasted Donald Trump in a letter released Tuesday for his requirement that federal agencies only recognize two sexes, male and female.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In 2022 the sheriff’s office allocated $50,000 from its budget for software to aid in the inquiry, the sheriff’s office said, and several detectives conducted 24/7 surveillance of ballot boxes in the lead-up to the 2022 primary election.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The overall mission of the project is to aid in scientific research and ocean exploration.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Other good moisturizing ingredients, known as occlusives, deliver fats to reinforce the gaps in the epidermis.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Some states are moving to create their own DOGE-like groups and create rules to reinforce Trump’s immigration policies in a rush to align with the president’s MAGA agenda.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC News,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The head must be high, the feet body-width apart, sometimes with one rear hoof slightly behind the other.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Feb. 2025
-
From there, an optional drop-down 59 x 83-in (150 x 210-cm) rear bed sleeps two more at night and moves out of the way in the day.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
In 2013, for instance, researchers designed a reusable dry adhesive inspired by the gecko's feet that easily stuck to smooth surfaces, adhering strongly when pushed forward and sliding off when pulled backward.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Victims’ rights groups called it a step backward that will deter students from reporting assaults.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Listen to this article Longtime Manhattan Rep. Jerrold Nadler is endorsing Scott Stringer’s campaign for mayor, making Stringer the first candidate in the 2025 race to secure support from a member of New York’s congressional delegation.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The Food and Drug Administration has endorsed irradiation as safe for food products, citing 30 years of research, but labeling is required when used.—
Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Orland Fire Protection District was assisted by firefighters from Lemont, Palos, Tinley, Homer, Frankfort and Lockport.—
Daily Southtown,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The partnership kicked off in the early 2000s when the company donated 50 trucks and mobilized employees to assist in home building following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Thesaurus Entries Near back
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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