1
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction
turned back for one last comment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backwards
toward the rear
concert security asked the crowd to move back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jugular
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 to advocate
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 to aid
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 to reinforce
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
as in hind
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part
she carried all the presents in the back door, as the children were playing in the front yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of back
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
As for why focus on Europe, West said that harkened back to the brand’s ethos.
—James Manso, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
The Commanders are adding one of the premier defensive backs in the NFL to a 7-2 team that's soaring with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Voters also backed Thomas, also nominated by Democrats, for a full eight-year term on the bench.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Bringing in Bieber to strengthen the rotation for the back half of 2025 would make sense.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back 
Adverb
The singer’s body was flown back to the UK earlier this month for the funeral after the 31-year-old died tragically in Argentina on October 16.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
As for why focus on Europe, West said that harkened back to the brand’s ethos.
—James Manso, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Keith McNally is sitting at a table in the back with his laptop, receiving visitors.
—Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
The Commanders are adding one of the premier defensive backs in the NFL to a 7-2 team that's soaring with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
The polo star, 47, backs Sentebale as an ambassador and has traveled around the world to play in the Sentebale Polo Cup, its flagship fundraiser.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Voters also backed Thomas, also nominated by Democrats, for a full eight-year term on the bench.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The back side of the factory is connected to the nearby highway by a bridge where a steady stream of vehicle carriers come and go, loaded with new Tesla cars to be sold in the Chinese market and exported to other countries, though not to the United States.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Bringing in Bieber to strengthen the rotation for the back half of 2025 would make sense.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
-
Friday's beaver moon will rise in Louisville beginning roughly around 5 p.m. before setting Saturday morning.John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Baby Acapulco has been around for the past four decades and is known for its pink elephant logo and margaritas in different colors and flavors.Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
There are two separate touch screens for climate control, one located low in the center stack, below the infotainment screen, the other available to second-row occupants at the rear of the center console.Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 12 Nov. 2024
-
The tree will be carried by Lynden Transport in an 80-foot flatbed truck covered with protective wrapping and a plexiglass window at the rear.Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Almost straight from the restart, France pressured Argentina into a hurried clearance, and from there France went straight for the jugular.Jonathan Clegg, WSJ, 18 Dec. 2022
-
Monica goes for the jugular, among other vulnerable body parts.Charles McNultyTheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
Verb
-
His priorities include veterans’ rights, advocating for small businesses, protecting the border and education, according to his campaign website. AD-64 includes a portion of Los Angeles County and La Habra in Orange County.Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Facing Homelessness in Antioch, along with other groups, advocated for transitional housing at the former Executive Inn.Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Rain, aided by a child felon called Cossy and a motley group of other companions, must escape and search for an artifact called the Oracle of Maracoor, which may hold the answers to saving their world.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
-
Assad was aided in part by important connections that the axis made with states outside the region: most significantly, Russia came to Assad’s rescue and became an influential global partner for the network.Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
My own moral courage, my backbone, has been reinforced, actually, in making this film, because there is a real moral clarity to this issue.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
-
But more than just his talents with a brush, the film’s Greek chorus of experts from artistic and theological corners of the world reinforce the belief that da Vinci was also one of mankind’s greatest thinkers with an insatiable thirst for knowledge.Hunter Ingram, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
The 23-year-old Venezuelan favors black baseball caps, worn backward, and tattoos on his left forearm.Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
-
Between April and August — which included, again, some of the hottest periods ever recorded in one of America’s hottest places — the teenager also saw Arizona move backward and then stall out on another issue affecting her health, safety and quality of life.Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Bernal Cutlery, San Francisco Vintage cooking tools murmur with history and allure, and Bernal Cutlery has a soft spot for the antique.Scott Hocker, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
-
Garcia Swisher played Sam, a tough girl also introduced in season 3 who had a soft spot for romance and would go on to date Gary later in the series.Angela Andaloro, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Thesaurus Entries Near back
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share