behind 1 of 4

Definition of behindnext
1
as in back of
at, to, or toward the rear of she preferred to be behind the lead hikers, who were always too much in a rush to enjoy the scenery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order we arrived behind them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

2 of 4

adverb

behind

3 of 4

adjective

behind

4 of 4

noun

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 behind
Preposition
Graves has thrown his support behind Chris Stigall, a national radio host from northern Missouri. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026 For example, while there are many reasons behind new immigration flows, an underlying driver of departures – from Africa and the Middle East in particular – is a lack of opportunity at home and the promise of better opportunities abroad for this burgeoning population. John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Patel also spoke about the security challenge of multi-agent implementations like OpenClaw and the tightrope companies have to walk in order to avoid falling behind. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Willy’s world never comes into being onstage, and the rest of the cast seems to wander in the limbo that’s left behind. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Season-long issues covering matchup-threat tight ends bit them squarely in the behind in the second half, as Buffalo's Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox combined for 81 second-half yards. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026 Any Negative Nancies won't be singing that tune when static cling has their dress suctioned to their behinds during church. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
Preposition
  • On Friday, March 27, Tiger Woods allegedly attempted to overtake a turning truck pulling a pressure cleaner at a high rate of speed before clipping the back of the truck with his Land Rover.
    Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Valencia got into the back of a SUV and shut the door behind him.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Preposition
  • Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
  • It can only be diagnosed after death.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • Phelps arrived at Boise State as a walk-on and was treated as a defensive back at first.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The video ends as the driver retrieves what appears to be a firearm from the street, before both men climb back onto the scooter and ride off-screen.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The series, starring Morris Chestnut, was initially held back for another midseason run on Sundays before being summoned to the fall schedule to fill in for the delayed CIA, landing behind FBI on Mondays.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The same happened on Artemis 1, a delayed but ultimately successful uncrewed mission to lunar orbit that flew in late 2022.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The 49,000 square-foot complex houses the 513-seat Baker-Baum Concert Hall, rehearsal rooms, offices, state-of-the-art recording facilities and The JAI, an intimate cabaret venue that serves food and drinks.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Using standard attachments and a payload system that allowed for quick swap-outs, it's been possible to make surprisingly large changes to the spyplane, including adding an extra seat for trainers or missions that require a specialist operator.
    David Szondy March 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
  • When moved rearward, the driver-side mattress folds and the front part of the bed base telescopes inside the larger rear section so the dinette can be expanded and used comfortably up front.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Atlanta-area native also went just 8-for-14 from the foul line in his latest homecoming after making 91% of his foul shots over his previous nine games.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Edwards was announced as a starter but was late to the court and replaced in the lineup by Mike Conley.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • By late next week, a small comet, fresh off a harrowingly close encounter with the Sun, could emerge into the evening twilight and become easily visible in the hour after sunset, sporting a thin, straight tail.
    Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
  • After a few minutes of struggling to unbeach the shark, Phan hoisted the creature by the tail and successfully pushed it into a crashing wave.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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