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as in withdrawn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
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 backward
Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
Cellphone videos of the crash show that around 8:20 p.m. Saturday evening, the Cuauhtémoc — with soft, yellow, decorative lights strung through its masts and rigging — was drifting backward toward the bridge with sailors standing on the deck and along the masts.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 2 May 2025
And something did go wrong ... for Pugh, at least, whose batons kept getting caught on the concrete ledge above her, yanking her backward every time.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Even as Bechdel gets more famous, and the world keeps spinning forward and backward, her real life hasn’t changed much.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
Cellphone videos of the crash show that around 8:20 p.m. Saturday evening, the Cuauhtémoc — with soft, yellow, decorative lights strung through its masts and rigging — was drifting backward toward the bridge with sailors standing on the deck and along the masts.
—Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025
Adjective
Lots of traditional gym staples (like squats, lunges, or presses) involve the sagittal plane, or forward and backward motion.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 2 May 2025
And something did go wrong ... for Pugh, at least, whose batons kept getting caught on the concrete ledge above her, yanking her backward every time.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
With the dysfunctional clan back at their dinner seats, the tactical team busts through the door.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
-
At a time when Arenado is scuffling and Willson Contreras (back spasms) has been unavailable, having Herrera’s thump from the right side has allowed the Cardinals’ lineup to remain versatile.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
Adverb
-
That City win — PSG’s first comeback from 2-0 down since May 2012, and their only ever in the Champions League — was a coming-of-age performance.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Reheat in the oven at 400°F for 5 to 6 minutes, or tortilla-side down on the stovetop for 3 to 4 minutes over medium-high heat with olive oil (until tortilla is crispy again).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Well, Look Even Better Myth: That hot-at-Sephora skin salve will hydrate your skin and reverse years of damage caused by a bad diet and lackluster hygiene habits.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
22 May 2025
-
So Akasha performed a reverse image search on a product shot of the powdered bark that his source had sent him.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Each is wrapped in graceful exterior lines and curves that sweep rearward from a massive hood that evokes a classic Jaguar XKE from the 1960’s.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adverb
-
Some of that is related to how much safety Derwin James Jr. moves around.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Defense created easy offense and in the halfcourt, the ball skipped around.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Kardashian hasn't been shy about linking her career in law to Elle Woods since her journey began.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Read More: Why Trump and South Africa Are at Odds American officials were not shy about their racial biases.—
Time,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Brennan Johnson scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute after an incidental deflection off Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, sending Spurs to next season’s Champions League.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
-
The lone goal could be almost directly attributed to it.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share