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
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time
the required work was behind, so now we're running late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits
cleaned the baby's behind
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Allison Palmer
june 2, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Progressive Senate Democrats also balked at putting their name behind legislation to grant a major property tax break to a multibillion-dollar professional sports franchise.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In the Mets’ 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, Tong, pitching behind opener Brazobán, allowed five runs (four earned), five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Kansas City Current’s feel-good, come-from-behind home victory to open the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season feels like ages ago.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind
Preposition
In June 2025, a narrative review published in Sports Medicine by Storoschuk, Moran-MacDonald, Gibala, and Gurd took a hard look at the evidence behind zone 2’s biggest claims.
—Allison Palmer
june 2, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Progressive Senate Democrats also balked at putting their name behind legislation to grant a major property tax break to a multibillion-dollar professional sports franchise.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Adverb
Millions of items get left behind in the rideshare vehicles every year, and while some items are easy to return like a wallet or a set of keys, others are a bit more confusing for the drivers.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In the Mets’ 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, Tong, pitching behind opener Brazobán, allowed five runs (four earned), five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 3 June 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
Buffalo entered Saturday with 19 come-from-behind wins, tied for seventh in the NHL.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Kansas City Current’s feel-good, come-from-behind home victory to open the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season feels like ages ago.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
Preposition
-
Nearly every aspect of the guest experience (to say nothing of the back of the house) has an eco component.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Her mother wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and smiles.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Preposition
-
Grossman did not try to leave the scene after the crash, Holm said.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Concern grew on the Knicks sideline as star guard Jalen Brunson hobbled off the court after San Antonio forward Harrison Barnes fell into the three-time All-Star’s right knee as a result of a foul.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
The red leather booths and wooden bar date back to the early 20th century and the walls are covered in flags from American universities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Noem's private jets are back in the spotlight.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Metro-North Platform in Stamford The Stamford train platform is not exactly poetry — unless your idea of romance involves delayed commuters, laptop bags, and people silently negotiating personal space.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
-
Mean procedure time was just 35 minutes, with zero periprocedural or delayed complications.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
While Republicans still hold an advantage in Iowa, Democrats see openings in a competitive governor’s race, an open Senate seat, and two battleground congressional districts that could help determine control of Congress next year.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
-
Then there’s Ammar Campa-Najjar, who has sought a similar seat twice before and more recently for Chula Vista mayor.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 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
-
As Augie Lopez trotted around the bases late Monday night, the small contingent of USC fans could finally be heard at Blue Bell Park.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The charge was dismissed in late October, and Bushart subsequently filed a lawsuit against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems and the investigator who secured the arrest warrant.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
De Vie The hyper-seasonal, nose-to-tail dishes at De Vie are designed to pair alongside cocktails crafted from French and housemade spirits, and the nonalcoholic versions play just as large a role in the restaurant and bar’s living laboratory of infusions and tinctures.—
Lane Nieset,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Tail Partbreaker Increases part damage accumulated on breakable tails.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
