variants
or backwards
1
as in back
toward the rear
looking backward, we could see the town receding in the distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in down
toward the opposite direction
the loud noise prompted him to glance backward to see what was happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
curiously, the quiet, backward man opened up when around other introverts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backward
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete on 3rd-and-15 after a false start penalty moved the Kansas City offense backward.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to play exclusive games designed for the new console while maintaining backward compatibility with most physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backward 
Adverb
The show bends over backward to explain that the Sinatra nickname comes from Samantha’s frequent use of hats, even though Nicholson’s head is rarely covered.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete on 3rd-and-15 after a false start penalty moved the Kansas City offense backward.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Next-Gen Switch 1 Updates The Switch 2 has full backward compatibility with original Switch games.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to play exclusive games designed for the new console while maintaining backward compatibility with most physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
In the loss to Metro-South, the Lakers trailed 4-1 after two periods and couldn’t come all the way back in the final frame.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Lest things get too esoteric, Djordjevic has his garrulous, practical-minded relatives to bring him back to earth.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The Fed didn't budge on interest rates, which means American consumers may have to wait a while to see borrowing costs go down on, well, pretty much everything.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
-
However, Japan — a top destination for outbound Chinese travelers this Lunar New Year – isn’t expected to see a full recovery of holiday visitors from China, with data showing arrivals will still be down 10% from 2019.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Buyers will find a variety of ranch, reverse, and 2-story floor plans exquisitely designed to meet the needs of today’s families.—
Weichert REALTORS® Welch & Company,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Curry found Santos on a cut for his fifth assist and threw a slick dime in the pick-and-roll to Jackson-Davis for an and-1 reverse layup.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.—
Michael Bracewell,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
5 Aug. 2024
-
Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge.—
Evan Williams,
Ars Technica,
18 July 2024
Adverb
-
The crash occurred around 1:39 p.m. at 5500 North Freeway.. The driver of the truck was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Jan. 2025
-
But having seen much violence and death in his years as a logger, he’s tormented by the sense that darkness is following him around and some kind of punishment is coming his way.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Ovechkin began this season with 853 goals — 41 shy of Gretzky’s 894 — and got off to a great start before missing time with an injury in December and slowing down a bit since his return.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
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Beyond just nails, the musician hasn't been shy recently when it's come to accessorizing in recent months.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Alex Gerber drove in Burnsville’s lone run, while Johnson finished – for-2 with a run scored.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The lone witness at the hearing who was invited by Democrats, Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, argued fiercely against Trump's plans.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to backward
Thesaurus Entries Near backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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