back 1 of 4

adverb

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in around
toward the opposite direction turned back for one last comment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backward
toward the rear concert security asked the crowd to move back

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

back

2 of 4

noun

ˈbak How to pronounce back (audio)
1
as in rear
a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

back

3 of 4

verb

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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
Some types of trees won’t grow back at all, while others sprout profusely and can become a challenge to control. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Rebecca wore her simple weekday covering over her hair, which had been pulled back in a ponytail, then braided and pinned up on the back of her head. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
More than a rebrand From a hardware standpoint, this is very much a continuation of the E-Ray line, just with the new motor at the front and engine at the back. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 Chelsea are close to finalising an agreement with Rayo Vallecano for left-back Pep Chavarria. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
Another Republican on the committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has backed Cornyn's position. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 On Tuesday, Rebecca Fine, who helped found Athena Art Finance in 2015, along with her AAF colleague Giovanna Quattrone, launched Metis Fine Art Finance, an independent lender backed by Winston Artory Group. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026
Adjective
Choosing the Exercise That’s Best for You Most people can benefit from incorporating both the back squat and the leg extension into their strength training routine. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026 Williams previously dealt with a back injury earlier in the season and missed a game against Connecticut on July 10. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
  1. ago
  2. around
  3. backward
  4. rear
  5. jugular
  6. advocate
  7. aid
  8. reinforce
Adverb
  • The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic more than six years ago, and the public health emergency ended in the US more than three years ago.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Fifty years ago, in 1966, the baseball landmark was demolished to make way for a shopping mall.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ago
Adverb
  • The Mutiara Sentosa 2 serves the Surabaya-Makassar route, a voyage that typically takes around 40 hours and is primarily used by domestic travelers and cargo transport between the islands of Java and Sulawesi.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • These particles — often no larger than grains of sand — strike Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of around 37 miles (59 km) per second, according to the American Meteor Society, producing streaks of light .
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of around
Adverb
  • To Lederberg himself, those narratives had the situation completely backward.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2026
  • Their complaint simply gets the economics of our business backwards.
    — Adam Aron, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of backward
Noun
  • Brave New World all made under $300 million domestically by the end of their theatrical runs, with Thunderbolts* bringing up the rear with $190 million.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Rodriguez has his boxing belts affixed to a wall near the rear of the restaurant.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of rear
Noun
  • And then Alvarez went for the jugular with a grand slam to deep center field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Definition of jugular
Verb
  • Experts advocate rigorous testing, staged deployment, comprehensive logging, and addressing fundamental security issues.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers advocate for responsible clothing-optional use of public lands.
    — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of advocate
Verb
  • One organization that has aided in her journey is the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, a Georgia nonprofit that supports students in need.
    — Nila Roper, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • Investigators are looking for information that could aid in an investigation into her death.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • The experience reinforced her belief that the profession itself was never the problem.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rounding out the formula are rice peptides, which help reinforce the cuticle for stronger, more resilient strands over time.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Definition of reinforce

Phrases Containing back

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baches
back
backache
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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on back

Nglish: Translation of back for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about back

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