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.
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
ShakespeareExamples 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
Ziva Hallaji, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
For the majority of her two-decade gymnastics career, Moors has avoided tumbling backward.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
The tuck position is far easier in a backward rotation than what's required for a front flip.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
In the weeks ahead, when the pundits are debating how to interpret the latest holiday spending numbers, keep in mind that one half-step backward may be the key to sticking a soft landing.
—Sanjay Datta, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for backward
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Essentially build backward by designing processes and technologies that align with your goals and are flexible enough to meet future needs.
—Ziva Hallaji, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
For the majority of her two-decade gymnastics career, Moors has avoided tumbling backward.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Under Desk Elliptical Machine Equally adept with forward and backward motion, the Hohouy offers 15 manual speed modes as well as three auto modes that simulate climbing up and down hills and steps.
—Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
The tuck position is far easier in a backward rotation than what's required for a front flip.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
As the officers mill around, one officer wearing his hat backward grabs a skateboard.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
In the weeks ahead, when the pundits are debating how to interpret the latest holiday spending numbers, keep in mind that one half-step backward may be the key to sticking a soft landing.
—Sanjay Datta, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for backward
Articles Related to backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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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