back 1 of 4

1
as in ago
earlier than the present time that's longer back than I can remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

back

2 of 4

noun

1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

1
2
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Braves have reinforcements coming, too, with catcher Sean Murphy (rib) expected back Tuesday, ace Spencer Strider (elbow surgery recovery) not far behind him, and do-it-all superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee surgery recovery) on track to debut next month. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025 Meghan Markle will never win over UK public again, author claims Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of 'My Mother and I,' discusses how the Duchess of Sussex isn't going to be welcomed back across the pond anytime soon following her royal exit. Elizabeth Stanton, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Democrats have turned their backs on the working class of this country. ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025 This is not the moment to slow down the fight or turn our backs on TB. Peter Sands, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
Radio and Television Supreme Council member Ilhan Tasci said that other channels backing the opposition were fined and handed program suspensions over their protest coverage. Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025 Williams hit a 3-pointer to cap a massive comeback in regulation and then backed his way into a game-winner at the rim with seven seconds left in overtime, sending the Red Raiders to an 85-83 win over the Razorbacks and into an Elite Eight matchup with No. 1 seed Florida. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
But injuries derailed that plan, and Jenkins missed most of his rookie season after having back surgery. Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 The passenger slowly crawls on his knees through the crushed vehicle and exits through the back window. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
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
  • By choosing only 10 organizations this time around, the foundation handed out larger grants ranging from $32,000 to $45,000.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, the ride has geometric shapes adorning its Blu Corse Matte bodywork, coming together in the rear to create a trident, which, of course, is the marque’s logo.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the power supply is plugged into the socket on the turntable’s rear before turning on the mains power.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Almost straight from the restart, France pressured Argentina into a hurried clearance, and from there France went straight for the jugular.
    Jonathan Clegg, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2022
  • Monica goes for the jugular, among other vulnerable body parts.
    Charles McNultyTheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
Verb
  • The housing proposals were drawn up by People Acting for Community Together, or PACT, a nonprofit interfaith group made up of some 40 churches, synagogues and mosques in Miami-Dade that advocates for solutions to some of the county’s most pressing social issues.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The rundown included his trivialization of the outbreak, failure to strongly advocate for vaccination, promotion of unproven treatments, like cod liver oil, and delayed responses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which Kennedy controls.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Both artists earmarked the royalties from the song to aid the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention organization.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2025
  • On Friday, Adams and Duffy went underground, boarding the BQE line in Brooklyn and riding the subway into Manhattan alongside NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta as the federal government vows to aid the city with its crime prevention.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This performance reinforces their value not just to the Selection Committee, but to analysts, fans, and bettors seeking a competitive edge.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • By gathering for the event, participants reinforce their commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect, according to the release.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The Battle at the Ministry ride is billed as a technologically advanced elevator-style ride that allows the first-of-their-kind vehicles to travel through sprawling environments in vessels that move up, down, forward, backward, and sideways through the story.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • After an electrical malfunction, Neo had fallen over backward — fainting dead away.
    Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump is seen as having a soft spot for the U.K. and visibly enjoyed a previous state visit to the country.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Philipps began working as a hostess at California Pizza Kitchen in Arizona in high school − around 16 or 17 − and has had a soft spot for the chain ever since her younger years growing up in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!