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
Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Last year’s captain, Aaron Long, is also on track to bolster a strong contingent of center backs.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Having a strong wind at their backs in the final 40 minutes certainly helped, but Providence coach Mike Taylor knew there was more to it than that.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Seat bottoms and backs will be sold as individuals for $25 per bottom and $25 per back, the Wild Things said.
—Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Aside from defensive backs, Miami could surely use an infusion of edge rushers, wide receivers and offensive linemen with early picks in this month’s draft.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The running backs might be better than imagined after Emmett Johnson’s departure left a group with minimal experience.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The Miami Dolphins need defensive backs.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Schiaparelli continues with the Directoire line in August, but lowered backs.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2026
Favian Upshaw takes over as the running backs coach after Matt Merritt left to take the same job with the Arizona Cardinals.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Portland responded five minutes later following a miscommunication between center backs Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Coaching update Three Hurricanes position coaches left this offseason; Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and running backs coach Matt Merritt joined the Arizona Cardinals’ staff, and tight ends coach Cory Woodiel took a job on the University of Mississippi staff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
The New Yorker himself vocally backs Mills in Maine, and party leaders subtly prefer Turek in Iowa and Stevens in Michigan.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Screen Australia backs the project in association with Screen Territory and National Indigenous Television, with Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund among additional supporters.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
At least in recent decades, the data backs him up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
His son, Jack Kilmer, also backs the project.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
But against Texas, a team that had dominated them during the regular season, the Bruins did all the counting as the Longhorns lay flat on their backs during an eventual knockout.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Last year’s captain, Aaron Long, is also on track to bolster a strong contingent of center backs.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Having a strong wind at their backs in the final 40 minutes certainly helped, but Providence coach Mike Taylor knew there was more to it than that.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Seat bottoms and backs will be sold as individuals for $25 per bottom and $25 per back, the Wild Things said.
—Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Aside from defensive backs, Miami could surely use an infusion of edge rushers, wide receivers and offensive linemen with early picks in this month’s draft.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The running backs might be better than imagined after Emmett Johnson’s departure left a group with minimal experience.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The Miami Dolphins need defensive backs.
—Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Schiaparelli continues with the Directoire line in August, but lowered backs.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Catherine backs people who stay quiet and get on with things.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2026
Favian Upshaw takes over as the running backs coach after Matt Merritt left to take the same job with the Arizona Cardinals.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Portland responded five minutes later following a miscommunication between center backs Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Coaching update Three Hurricanes position coaches left this offseason; Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge and running backs coach Matt Merritt joined the Arizona Cardinals’ staff, and tight ends coach Cory Woodiel took a job on the University of Mississippi staff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
The New Yorker himself vocally backs Mills in Maine, and party leaders subtly prefer Turek in Iowa and Stevens in Michigan.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Screen Australia backs the project in association with Screen Territory and National Indigenous Television, with Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund among additional supporters.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
At least in recent decades, the data backs him up.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
His son, Jack Kilmer, also backs the project.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
Noun
-
This is where the idea of revenge rears its head.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Dogs sniff each other’s rears, African elephants swing their trunks, and songbirds peck at one another’s feathers.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 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
-
Founded in 1935, the Lake Forest Caucus vets residents interested in serving on city boards and commissions and endorses candidates for local offices, including mayor, City Council, and the city’s two local public school boards.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The cops are rendered so clueless and so steadfast in their stupidity, the series accidentally endorses ACAB.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 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
-
Orkin reinforces your home's protections, targets those who have weaseled their way into your home, and starts to prep for the colder season where all those bugs will want to come back into your warm and cozy walls.—
Kate Tully Ellsworth,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This new endeavor signals a strategic evolution in her career, bridging hip-hop with theater in a way that reinforces her while aligning her with one of Broadway’s most celebrated shows.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their seafood steam pots feature shrimp, clams, crabs, oysters, and even lobster tails, depending on your family's preferences.—
Valerie Fraser Luesse,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Three wolves, trotting single-file with heads and tails down, started to cross the flat half a mile downwind of the caribou.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 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
-
His coverage is funded by The Just Trust, a nonprofit that advocates for a humane justice system and reforms to problems in the system.—
Patrick Wilson,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With this in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for the health of all children who must avoid certain foods to stay healthy.—
Dr. Sonja O'Leary,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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