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

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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

Example 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

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

Edwards spoke for more than 20 minutes, and each of the other speeches were around eight minutes.

— Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 8 Feb. 2025
Clouds of smoke could be seen coming from flames as crowds of onlookers frantically gathered around.

— Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025