51Թ

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View synonyms for

backward

[bak-werd]

adverb

  1. toward the back or rear.

    Antonyms:
  2. with the back foremost.

  3. in the reverse of the usual or right way.

    counting backward from 100.

  4. toward the past.

    to look backward over one's earlier mistakes.

  5. toward a less advanced state; retrogressively.

    Since the overthrow of the president the country has moved steadily backward.



adjective

  1. directed toward the back or past.

  2. reversed; returning.

    a backward movement;

    a backward journey.

  3. behind in time or progress; late; slow.

    a backward learner;

    a backward country.

    Synonyms: , ,
  4. bashful or hesitant; shy.

    a backward lover.

    Synonyms: , ,

backward

/ ˈæə /

adjective

  1. (usually prenominal) directed towards the rear

    a backward glance

  2. retarded in physical, material, or intellectual development

    backward countries

    a backward child

    1. of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary

    2. ( in combination )

      backward-looking

  3. reluctant or bashful

    a backward lover

  4. chess (of a pawn) behind neighbouring pawns and unable to be supported by them

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. a variant of backwards

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • backwardly adverb
  • backwardness noun
  • unbackward adjective
  • ˈɲ adverb
  • ˈɲԱ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of backward1

First recorded in 1250–1300, backward is from the Middle English word bakwarde. See back 1, -ward
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. backward and forward, thoroughly: Also backwards and forwards.

    He knew his lesson backward and forward.

In addition to the idiom beginning with backward, also see bend over backward; fall over (backwards); know like a book (backwards and forwards).
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Flanagan traces Chuck’s life backward in time, letting us watch as the joy slips away, favored for an existence that prioritizes things that are practical and safe.

From

Cameras turned toward him as two Secret Service agents tried to push him backward.

From

Video of the arrest shows the labor leader pushed by authorities in riot gear until he falls backward, appearing to strike his head on the curb.

From

Video of the arrest shows him being pushed by authorities in riot gear until he falls backward, appearing to strike his head on the curb.

From

The website published video of Osment, wearing his ski helmet backward, allegedly holding up the line for a ski lift.

From

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Related 51Թs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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back walkoverbackward and forward