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as in withdrawn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
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete on 3rd-and-15 after a false start penalty moved the Kansas City offense backward.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to play exclusive games designed for the new console while maintaining backward compatibility with most physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backward 
Adverb
The show bends over backward to explain that the Sinatra nickname comes from Samantha’s frequent use of hats, even though Nicholson’s head is rarely covered.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete on 3rd-and-15 after a false start penalty moved the Kansas City offense backward.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Next-Gen Switch 1 Updates The Switch 2 has full backward compatibility with original Switch games.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to play exclusive games designed for the new console while maintaining backward compatibility with most physical and digital Nintendo Switch titles.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backward
Adverb
-
In the loss to Metro-South, the Lakers trailed 4-1 after two periods and couldn’t come all the way back in the final frame.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The Smurfs film is set to premiere on July 18, pushed back from a previous release date of this upcoming Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The jet undulates up and down in ridges and troughs that help steer weather systems around in the northern hemisphere, from cold fronts to hurricanes.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Angelina Jolie has her fashion formula down for red carpets.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Buyers will find a variety of ranch, reverse, and 2-story floor plans exquisitely designed to meet the needs of today’s families.—
Weichert REALTORS® Welch & Company,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Curry found Santos on a cut for his fifth assist and threw a slick dime in the pick-and-roll to Jackson-Davis for an and-1 reverse layup.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.—
Michael Bracewell,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
As do the side vents, and the hood lines that start from the badge and flare outward and rearward, giving the front end more presence.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
5 Aug. 2024
-
Looking rearward, especially for parking, was a challenge.—
Evan Williams,
Ars Technica,
18 July 2024
Adverb
-
Clouds of smoke could be seen coming from flames as crowds of onlookers frantically gathered around.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The ceasefire came over a year after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Ovechkin began this season with 853 goals — 41 shy of Gretzky’s 894 — and got off to a great start before missing time with an injury in December and slowing down a bit since his return.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
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Powell, left off the initial All-Star reserves list despite averaging a team-high 24 points per game on 49.4% shooting, said what Harden does with a basketball is just shy of magical for the Clippers (27-20), who currently are sixth in the Western Conference.—
Janis Carr,
Orange County Register,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The lone witness at the hearing who was invited by Democrats, Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, argued fiercely against Trump's plans.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Alex Gerber drove in Burnsville’s lone run, while Johnson finished – for-2 with a run scored.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to backward
Thesaurus Entries Near backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backward. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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