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as in withdrawn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
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Recent Examples of backward
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The viral trend has fueled fiery online debates — with TikToks showing everything from brides dodging cake by bending over backwards to grooms chasing their new wives across the room just to land the smash.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Danielle Zickl, Outside, 20 Aug. 2025
The backward glance stretched wide.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Adverb
The gruesome footage of Kirk being shot in the neck and slumping backwards spread rapidly on the internet.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The viral trend has fueled fiery online debates — with TikToks showing everything from brides dodging cake by bending over backwards to grooms chasing their new wives across the room just to land the smash.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Your Quads Get More Support This is because the toe-to-heel movement of your feet during backward walking (as opposed to the heel-to-toe movement of forward walking) engages your quads.
—Danielle Zickl, Outside, 20 Aug. 2025
The backward glance stretched wide.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
California’s legal fight to get those funds back–which hadn’t been spent–will take months if not years to resolve.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Inflation has ticked up in recent months, rekindling price concerns that stretch back to a pandemic-era explosion of household costs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
On fourth down, Chargers quarterback Corin Berry evaded multiple Corona del Mar tacklers and scrambled for positive yardage, but was tackled short of the first down by Scott Anderson to give the Sea Kings the ball to close out the game.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On the crucial fourth down, Mission Bay handed the ball to Jevyn Higman, who’d bounced it to the outside for a 43-yard score.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Implement reverse mentoring, where younger employees share digital fluency and senior colleagues offer strategic and cultural insight.—
Gilda D'Incerti,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Do a reverse image search of the pet's photo and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.—
Abreanna Blose,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
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
Adverb
-
With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
During one such strike last week, around two dozen Russian drones entered Poland -- by far the largest-ever of Russian drones into NATO airspace.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, at the Budapest world championships in 2023, Alfred was just shy of a podium finish in both of her events.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, the president hasn’t been shy about wanting elite colleges to foot the bill.—
Liam Knox,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And his lone Royals appearance was a spot start that lasted 2 ⅔ innings.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The City Council ultimately voted 5-1 to deny the appeal, with lone opposition from Council Member Doug Taylor.—
Rose Evans
September 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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