variants
or backwards
1
a
: toward the back or rear
She glanced backward over her shoulder.
b
: with the back foremost
Take three steps backward.
2
a
: in a reverse or contrary direction or way
Count backward from 10.
b
: toward the past
a journey backward in time
c
: toward a worse state
His new job felt like a step backward.
see also:
1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done or executed backward
a backward somersault
3
: less advanced in development or accomplishment than what is typical or expected
… said he felt the news media had given Jasper the image of a backward country town.—
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
: the part behind or past
… the dark backward … of time …—Shakespeare
ShakespeareSynonyms of backward
Relevance
Adverb
Adjective
Examples of backward in a Sentence
Adverb
a sudden movement backward, not forward
I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward.
He pushed the throttle backward.
She took a small step backward.
a journey backward in time
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
Adjective
a technologically backward village that has no running water
a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going
Recent Examples on the Web
Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
After getting to the majors in 2024, Foscue had gone backward, finishing his first season in the worst o-fer in the majors in more than 30 years.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
His belligerent knock ended in the final over when Phillips caught him at deep backward square leg at the second attempt.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
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Adverb
This is a dangerous step backward that risks irreversible harm to the health and well-being of future generations.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
After getting to the majors in 2024, Foscue had gone backward, finishing his first season in the worst o-fer in the majors in more than 30 years.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Popular culture ridiculed large Latino families as backward and destined for poverty.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
His belligerent knock ended in the final over when Phillips caught him at deep backward square leg at the second attempt.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backward
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done backward
3
: slow in learning or development
backward nations
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
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