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

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
In May, Mac moved back to our house for the summer with our 18-year-old daughter, who had just finished her first year of college. Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2025 Battlefield 6 brings the series back to the modern era for the first time since 2015’s Battlefield Hardline. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Noun
But by the time the city's deadline rolls around, Perez will have lived two months without hot water and a faulty back door. Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025 In addition, some vehicles only have to display a back plate, like historic vehicles and motorcycles. Eleanor Nash july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Verb
Stewart backed their rote enthusiasm with white-boy disco-dance moves and gesticulations modeled after Colbert’s clowning on his own show. Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025 The decision came on the same day DeSantis publicly backed his ally for the CEO job at Visit Florida. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Adjective
Police nearby warned media that anyone caught loitering near the back entrance would be arrested. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2025 Odin's head is actually upside down, under the outstretched paws, one of which goes over his back paw, under the end of his tail. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back
Adverb
  • Police records describe violence, a chaotic scene Officers responded to the shooting around 10 p.m. after witnesses reported the incident to airport dispatchers.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 27 July 2025
  • On top of the bathroom problems, the man says the kitchen is also a nightmare thanks to Jerry and Daisy, who leave dirty dishes around.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • By contrast, in the Belmont, jockey Junior Alvarado adroitly kept Sovereignty closer to the pace, up in the mix, no time to lay back and do that Sovereignty thing of melting into the rear.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The grip includes a command dial, with another at the rear just above the thumb rest, that work together for exposure control.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Zachary Naegele, 24, was competing at the Conley Invitational in Palmetto, Florida, last week when the bull’s horn punctured his jugular, causing blood to stream out in a heart-pounding, caught-on-camera moment.
    Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Gone are the days of Ami Cusack cutting down men without hesitation or Natalie Bolton flossing her teeth with Jason Siska’s jugular.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Let Your Expert Guide You: Your digital forensics expert should be educating you about the importance of complete data access and advocating alongside you for obtaining complete UFED files.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The new data is already helping residents advocate for environmental justice and make informed decisions about their health.
    Youssef Rafik, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in the day, Gabbard shared a declassified House Intelligence Committee report, which found the United States intelligence community had no direct evidence Russia wanted to aid President Donald Trump in the 2016 election despite it pushing the claim under Obama’s direction.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 2025
  • With that in mind, the company is working to deploy four super agents—one that’s geared toward customers, another that aids associates, a third that works alongside developers and a fourth that targets Walmart’s partners.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The current American administration, though, is the first to reinforce those ambitions, rather than curtail them.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
  • Sadly, these actions only reinforce speculation (or fact) about underlying motives.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Adverb
  • In a fraction of a second, the bison goes from standing to charging, and one or more people are thrown backward or even flung into the air.
    Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 22 July 2025
  • This essay extends the timeline backward while also globalizing the stakes: the Midwest becomes a node in a diasporic network of Black thought and activism.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, there is a chance the feline has a soft spot for the woman's roomie.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Her husband had always had a soft spot for yams and was glad for the sudden bounty.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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