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 around
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as in withdrawn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.
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Recent Examples of backward
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sarandos said the company is looking ahead and not backward.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
Because of that, law enforcement usually focuses on the people closest to the victim and works backward.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
After getting an extension from the Heat last offseason, Jovic went through a rough fourth NBA season that represented a step backward.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
This is the first perpetual calendar whose displays and its moon phase can be adjusted both forward and backward through a single crown position.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
Sarandos said the company is looking ahead and not backward.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan shot back, quoting a soldier from the CBS report, that telling the truth is important.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The charity has around 450 members, after more than 100 joined last year.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After a few days of awkward deflections and a viral PR shutdown, Paige Bueckers finally addressed the topic everyone has been dancing around — her romantic relationship with Azzi Fudd.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1935, the league’s founders met at the Fort Pitt Hotel and voted unanimously to put in place a selection process in reverse order of the previous season’s standings.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The King of the Mountain match was essentially a reverse ladder match that included a penalty box for those who were pinned – which is also featured in the Iron Survivor Challenge that takes place during WWE NXT events.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 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
Adverb
-
Charlotte’s growing Catholic presence Nationally, religious service attendance is down.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The loss equaled 5 cents per share, down from a profit of 13 cents per share a year ago.—
Dylan Sherman,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the number of reversed-conviction lawsuits exploded over the past decade, the city spread most of the work around a dozen firms, who deployed more than 200 attorneys in all plus another 200-plus support staffers.—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Up to a million people celebrate in the neighborhood each year, and after the state was slammed by snow in recent weeks, city leaders want to maximize accessibility along the reversed route from Andrew Square to A Street and West Broadway.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Soto finished a triple shy of the cycle.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The contest, which awards half of the pot to a winner and donates the other half to charity after expenses, has sold just shy of $350 million (C$472 million) in tickets since 2001, resulting in about $175 million (C$236 million) in prizes for residents of Alberta.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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