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as in withdrawn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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of backward
Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Within seconds of exiting the car, Velasquez is seen falling backward and to the ground, having been struck by gunfire.
—Sean Emery, Orange County Register, 12 Mar. 2025
Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Look for a distinctive backward question mark that outlines the chest and head of Leo.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
About 100 passengers were forced to debark and leave the train on foot when one Green Line trolley apparently rolled backward into another around 7:30 p.m.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Within seconds of exiting the car, Velasquez is seen falling backward and to the ground, having been struck by gunfire.
—Sean Emery, Orange County Register, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
While this wouldn't be a trivial technical lift on Microsoft's part, the same emulation layer that powers Xbox console backward compatibility could surely be ported to Windows with a little bit of work.
—Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
Look for a distinctive backward question mark that outlines the chest and head of Leo.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
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Hampton is a well rounded back who would a great complement to D'Andre Swift.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Rather than scaling back, Chipotle has been expanding.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $899, down from $1,099.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Yet, compared to Joe Biden (57%) and Barack Obama (69%) from this point in their first terms, Trump is down.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Tesla owners who do trade in or sell may be in for a reverse sticker shock over the disappointing price their EVs fetch on the used car market.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
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Sander Berge approaches him so, instead of firing a reverse pass into Lucas Bergvall’s feet, goes for the easy option of laying it off to Spence.—
Jay Harris,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 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
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Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge.—
Evan Williams,
Ars Technica,
18 July 2024
Adverb
-
Put up photos of nature, move your desk around, or paint a wall with chalkboard paint for ideating.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Mulligan’s new cut is a fresh take on the micro-bob trend that’s been floating around for the last few years—bob queen Gigi Hadid is also a fan of the mini-cut, and flips, razors, and colors her bob to her heart’s content.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And yet Francis has never been shy about showing his frailty, age or infirmities in ways that seem unthinkable for public figures for whom any sign of fragility can threaten their authority and undermine their agenda.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Farrah Abraham is a big fan of plastic surgery, and she’s never been shy about sharing the work she’s gotten done over the years.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Hansen, who plays forward for the Cougars, had a hat trick in the Class 3A state semifinal and the lone goal in a 1-0 championship game victory over Lake Highland Prep.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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Also of note: Apple TV+’s Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller film The Gorge, its lone representative on the top ten, fell to No. 8 from No. 3 last week.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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