1
2
as in soft spots
a vulnerable point
a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in endorses
to promote the interests or cause of
she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aids
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
a number of influential people have already agreed to back the candidate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reinforces
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of backs
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
He is built like a running back and bodies defensive backs after the catch.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The Vikings could target him as an undrafted signing to bolster a defensive backs group that should look far different when the draft concludes.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Regis, listed at 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, built his game at Texas A&M in the trenches as a nose tackle focused on slowing opposing running backs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
After initially transferring to Houston following the 2024 season, Scott transferred to Miami (following defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, who left Houston for UM).
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Starting Broncos safety Brandon Jones will be a free agent after next season, and Haulcy played a season for new Broncos defensive backs coach Doug Belk with the Cougars in 2023.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Kansas City Chiefs coach arrested Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt pleaded not guilty Thursday in Johnson County District Court to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge accusing him of causing bodily harm to a daughter.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Dancers are strewn about the stage on their backs, bent legs pointed skyward in a quasi-rigor mortis.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Center backs Micael and Falcon were aggressive all night, chasing down Salt Lake attackers.
—Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
And there’s solid research that backs that up.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
If your household feels under siege right now, the data backs you up.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
This is, of course, exactly the kind of thing that Colin Robinson, who runs OR Books, wants to hear about his operation — a small publisher that prints on demand to reduce waste and backs authors no one else will touch.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026
Products for every joint -- from knees and backs to hands and ankles.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Led by Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama backs from the last 10 drafts have rushed for 37,997 yards and 335 touchdowns in the NFL.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Kia backs it up with a seven-year warranty, and Sussex matches that seven years on its camper package.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
With their backs against the wall, the Knicks showed the Hawks there are levels to playoff basketball.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
He is built like a running back and bodies defensive backs after the catch.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The Vikings could target him as an undrafted signing to bolster a defensive backs group that should look far different when the draft concludes.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Regis, listed at 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, built his game at Texas A&M in the trenches as a nose tackle focused on slowing opposing running backs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
After initially transferring to Houston following the 2024 season, Scott transferred to Miami (following defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, who left Houston for UM).
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Starting Broncos safety Brandon Jones will be a free agent after next season, and Haulcy played a season for new Broncos defensive backs coach Doug Belk with the Cougars in 2023.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Kansas City Chiefs coach arrested Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt pleaded not guilty Thursday in Johnson County District Court to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge accusing him of causing bodily harm to a daughter.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Dancers are strewn about the stage on their backs, bent legs pointed skyward in a quasi-rigor mortis.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Google backs rival partner Despite competing in AI models, Google plays a critical role as Anthropic’s infrastructure partner.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Center backs Micael and Falcon were aggressive all night, chasing down Salt Lake attackers.
—Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
And there’s solid research that backs that up.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
If your household feels under siege right now, the data backs you up.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
This is, of course, exactly the kind of thing that Colin Robinson, who runs OR Books, wants to hear about his operation — a small publisher that prints on demand to reduce waste and backs authors no one else will touch.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026
Products for every joint -- from knees and backs to hands and ankles.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Led by Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama backs from the last 10 drafts have rushed for 37,997 yards and 335 touchdowns in the NFL.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Kia backs it up with a seven-year warranty, and Sussex matches that seven years on its camper package.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
When justice recedes, revenge rears its bloodstained head.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, the most damaging scandal of Starmer’s premiership rears its head again at a profoundly unstable time for the government.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Signs such as cracks in the foundation or holes from soft spots in the walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs that moisture has been sitting in your home for a while and turned into mold.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Please don’t fall for this con — even if the Labor Department endorses and promotes it.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Warsh endorses the most upbeat promises of productivity from AI for the broader economy.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This element aids the MEU with support such as medical and dental assistance, motor transport, supply, equipment maintenance and landings.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Sleep aids all work to help relax your body and improve your sleep in different ways.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Moon centers on your 2nd House of Value, where consistency reinforces results.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bringing greenery overhead reinforces the feeling of enclosure.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tolle showed off his renowned 99 mph fastball while mixing in an improved arsenal of secondary pitches, and the Yankees couldn’t make heads or tails of him the first time through the order.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The fact the wires are covered in fur too just adds to the delight – and resembles fluffy tails.—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ariel Taylor Smith, senior director of the Center for Policy and Action at the National Parents Union, a nonprofit that advocates for parents, has seen this trend in her own fourth grader's public elementary school class in Vermont, whose teacher doesn't assign homework.—
Ariel Gilreath,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Walker said Tuesday that advocates on both sides were expected to hold discussions in Springfield throughout the day.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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