back 1 of 4

1
as in ago
earlier than the present time that's longer back than I can remember

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2
3

back

2 of 4

noun

1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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2
as in jugular
a vulnerable point a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

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back

3 of 4

verb

1
2
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

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back

4 of 4

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word back different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of back are advocate, champion, support, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can advocate be used instead of back?

While the synonyms advocate and back are close in meaning, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would champion be a reasonable alternative to back?

The words champion and back are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When might support be a better fit than back?

In some situations, the words support and back are roughly equivalent. However, support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of back?

The words uphold and back can be used in similar contexts, but uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

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
Adverb
Petty, and his crew at Petty’s Garage, spent the winter of 2013 taking his old Superbird back to bare metal and giving it a new coat of Alpine White paint and a new black roof made of vinyl. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2025 Finding gentle but firm ways of setting a boundary for your friendship will help preserve it, while giving you some of your time back. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
Wear one at the top of your head to add volume around the face-framing pieces, and another at the back to style the rest. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024 The versatile defensive back was in the midst of a breakout season, entrenching himself as a starter despite joining the Chargers 10 days before their season opener in a trade with Tennessee. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
Each has also lined up big name investors, with Jason Derulo and Joe Burrow backing the PVF and Jayson Tatum and Lindsey Vonn investing in LOVB. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025 Both Bondi and Trump also attracted criticism during the 2016 race over a $25,000 contribution that the Trump Foundation made in 2013 to a political group backing Bondi's reelection campaign. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
For those who need prescription lenses, the back glass of each lens can be replaced with a custom prescription lens – making these sunglasses a versatile solution for everyone. New Atlas, 13 Jan. 2025 La Liga occasionally withheld a share of TV revenues to directly pay a club’s previously outstanding back taxes or debts, while Atletico, Valencia and Sevilla are among those who found themselves over their limit at different points and had to sell or loan out players to register new signings. Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for back 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • The Sunset Fire, which broke out Wednesday evening near the Hollywood Hills, grew to engulf around 43 acres.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • That’s more moving around than Zucker would have liked, which is part of why an extension in Buffalo would appeal to him.
    Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • By his final season, its form had dropped considerably, leaving him to scramble toward the rear of the field.
    Luke Smith, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
  • That old wall had already done some damage: It had been erected atop a six-foot high portion of the bluff that overlooks the bay at the rear of the property, but left another adjacent stretch of the outcropping untouched.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
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
  • Several studies have found immigrants commit lower rates of crime than those born in the U.S. Groups that advocate for restrictive immigration policies dispute or dismiss those findings.
    Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The group, formed in 2021, currently has a membership of over 1,500 that advocates the progressive movement and employees on Capitol Hill.
    Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • It’s supposed to aid in lymphatic stimulation along with soothing inflammation.
    Lisa DeSantis, Glamour, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Jinger hopes that her new book, People Pleaser, helps others realize their own issues with the matter to aid in their respective journeys to resolve the problem.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • What is The Safeguard and is this omniscient AI called The Algorithm reinforcing the rules of the silos?
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Acknowledging your achievements reinforces the positive aspects of embracing discomfort.
    Ryan McGrath, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Working backward from 2024 to 2021, he’s finished as WR20, WR27, WR30 and WR30, and his ADP was in the 50s ahead of each one of those seasons.
    Brandon Funston, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Hinge forward at your hips, pushing your buttocks backward toward the box.
    Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Women have always had a soft spot for men’s clothing.
    Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Get President-elect Donald Trump, who has a soft spot for TikTok, to halt enforcement of the law after he’s sworn in.
    Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near back

Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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