backs 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soft spots
a vulnerable point a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

Synonyms & Similar Words

backs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of back
1
as in endorses
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 aids
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 reinforces
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

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 backs
Noun
Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs have already been announced. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 When a buyer's quality of earnings team starts testing the add-backs and the supporting records are informal or inconsistent, the credibility of the entire financial story can suffer. — Robert Indries, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Hafley, the Dolphins’ new head coach, was beginning his first season as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive backs coach, and the organization used a first-round pick to enhance his unit in 2014. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 Sammis’ scheme is all about efficiency and creating easy, open looks for the quarterbacks and the running backs. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026 But the Panthers aren’t interested in having their top two backs engage in a sprint-off. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 July 2026 The defense will look to return to form as a vintage Kirby Smart unit, led by defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson, both of whom were tabbed as preseason first-team All-SEC selections by the media. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 Rolling on their backs makes whales more vulnerable to being hit by ships. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 22 July 2026
Verb
The Current also frequently feature a defensive back-line of Black women — center backs Gabrielle Robinson and Elizabeth Ball and standout rookie right back Laney Rouse. — Pj Green july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Guarantees and warranties Aptive backs its service with a satisfaction guarantee. — Jay Sparks, USA Today, 28 July 2026 New Democrat Majority, which backs moderate House Democrats, has spent an additional $1 million against Bush. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso deserves a significant mention here, too — the Texans have become a talent factory at every position in their secondary under Vasso, who could get even more coordinator interest this spring. — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 21 July 2026 According to Consorte, the Vatican letter also backs the theory that the statue was made by an antiquarian from Naples, working with the same farmer who claimed to have found it. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026 AlleyCorp, an early stage venture capital firm that backs health tech companies, raised a new $335 million fund. — Mario Aguilar, STAT, 21 July 2026 Surprisingly, Spain have conceded just one goal in the tournament so far, and lot of credit must be given to goalkeepr Unai Simón, center-backs Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, and midfield maestro Pedri. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026 State backs fusion The company expects to break ground on the facility before the end of the year. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs
  1. rears
  2. soft spots
  3. endorses
  4. aids
  5. reinforces
  6. tails
  7. jugulars
  8. advocates
Noun
  • When justice recedes, revenge rears its bloodstained head.
    — Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
  • So, the most damaging scandal of Starmer’s premiership rears its head again at a profoundly unstable time for the government.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of rears
Noun
  • There tend to be soft spots in the schedule, and early weekdays are always slow, anyhow.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Bubbling paint or soft spots in drywall are signs that water has already made its way inside.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 July 2026
Definition of soft spots
Verb
  • Lucy McBath endorses Everton Blair in next week’s special election for Congress.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
  • There can be a viable claim when that unauthorized use leads consumers to believe the athlete endorses the business’s product or service.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of endorses
Verb
  • Emerge now aids nearly 1,900 survivors through complex legal processes and offers a crucial reintegration program for young women aging out of state care at 18, teaching vital life skills.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The movie focuses on a murder of a shepherd unraveled by his flock, which aids a somewhat hapless rural policeman in solving the crime.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of aids
Verb
  • This reinforces the broader shift toward non-ownership models such as rental and resale that Hauteline is leading.
    — Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The relative improvement reinforces CHD's defensive appeal, suggesting its low-beta profile is being rewarded as market volatility rises.
    — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reinforces
Noun
  • Brand crisps up a variety of tails ranging from salmon to cod to tilefish in the oven and assesses their flavors and textures.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026
  • With the advent of breed standards and clubs in the early 1900s, an official criteria for a proper Lab, such as otter tails, water resistant coats and wide skulls, became more concrete.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of tails
Noun
  • Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).
    — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of jugulars
Verb
  • The article advocates for ditching traditional discovery calls in high-ticket sales, deeming them inefficient.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Kelly currently acts as chair of the Big 5 Caucus, a group made up of Kansas’ five biggest counties that advocates for policies that support local governments’ abilities to serve their communities.
    — Taylor O'Connor July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of advocates

Browse Nearby Words

backpedals
backs
backs away
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of backs for Spanish Speakers

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