variants
or backwards
1
a
: toward the back or rear
She glanced backward over her shoulder.
b
: with the back foremost
Take three steps backward.
2
a
: in a reverse or contrary direction or way
Count backward from 10.
b
: toward the past
a journey backward in time
c
: toward a worse state
His new job felt like a step backward.
1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done or executed backward
a backward somersault
3
: less advanced in development or accomplishment than what is typical or expected
… said he felt the news media had given Jasper the image of a backward country town.—
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
: the part behind or past
… the dark backward … of time …—Shakespeare
ShakespeareSynonyms
Adverb
Adjective
Examples of backward in a Sentence
Adverb
a sudden movement backward, not forward
I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward.
He pushed the throttle backward.
She took a small step backward.
a journey backward in time
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
Adjective
a technologically backward village that has no running water
a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going
Recent Examples on the Web
Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Between April and August — which included, again, some of the hottest periods ever recorded in one of America’s hottest places — the teenager also saw Arizona move backward and then stall out on another issue affecting her health, safety and quality of life.
—Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Chapter titles with the names of family members take us backward and forward in time.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
Sanjay Datta, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for backward 
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Adverb
The 23-year-old Venezuelan favors black baseball caps, worn backward, and tattoos on his left forearm.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Between April and August — which included, again, some of the hottest periods ever recorded in one of America’s hottest places — the teenager also saw Arizona move backward and then stall out on another issue affecting her health, safety and quality of life.
—Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
If elected, both would enact backward policies that will hurt women and girls.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Chapter titles with the names of family members take us backward and forward in time.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
In the weeks ahead, when the pundits are debating how to interpret the latest holiday spending numbers, keep in mind that one half-step backward may be the key to sticking a soft landing.
—Sanjay Datta, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023
Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for backward
Articles Related to backward
Dictionary Entries Near backward
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backward
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done backward
3
: slow in learning or development
backward nations
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
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