BACKS Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

backs 1 of 2

noun

plural of back

as in rears

a behind part or surface the back of the page was blank

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as in soft spots

a vulnerable point a candidate needing a loyal aide who can be relied upon to always watch his back

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backs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of back

as in endorses

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reinforces

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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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

Chaminade-Madonna beat defending 1A state champion Cardinal Newman 20-7 as four backs combined for 211 yards and two touchdowns. — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Some pretty good running backs have come through DeKalb County. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Cleveland has multiple running backs, led by Moyosoreoluwa Odebunmi. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Jayden Maiava played one of the best games of his career, completing 21 of 33 passing attempts with three touchdowns, controlling the offense while the running backs struggled to get going. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Three times, the Colts pulled within a point, and Pittsburgh responded each time behind Warren, who made the team in 2022 as an unheralded rookie and has evolved into one of the better feature backs in the league. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 The Broncos’ defensive backs get together for a weekly dinner, trying new restaurants and rotating who pays for the meal. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 The Missouri Tiger has become one of the most productive running backs in the country through the first half of the 2026 season. — Pj Green october 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 Putellas, immediately installed as club captain, most visibly shows her leadership skills by pushing up to the opposition centre-backs and encouraging her teammates to follow closely behind. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

The fund backs music and arts curriculums in public schools inspired by Brooklyn natives Jean-Michel Basquiat and Max Roach. — James Laforge, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 The investment backs efforts to improve precision and maneuverability as adversaries develop more capable weapons. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 The controllers’ union backs the request, and so do the airlines and the pilots. — Vincent E. Bianco Iii, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Moraitis backs Florida’s Amendment 3, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 The seat backs for the recliners also swivel around to create a vis-a-vis dining layout with the center table, a more conventional way of enjoying a meal than a table between two recliners. — New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026 At first, McConnell backs toward the officers but then runs off, and law enforcement pursues him. — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 For example, private equity firm Silver Lake backs talent agency WME, and Blackstone is behind content studio Candle Media. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 Arguing the evidence backs the charges, the DOJ wants to seize all funds gained through the scheme. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs

Noun

Black renders the majority of the sneaker, but red rears its head again through speckling on the midsole, TPU flyplate, full medial Swoosh and lining.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
The 39-year-old, who has been arrested multiple times in Burbank and Glendale, was taken into custody on suspicion of violating terms of his probation from a previous arrest linked to sniffing women’s rears.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rears

Noun

Avoid using onions with any soft spots, sprouts, or signs of decay or discoloration.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Fagnano was able to diagnose some of the disguises from Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finding soft spots in zone coverages both in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

— Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft spots

Verb

This evidence base is why ASCO endorses integrative oncology guidelines and why NCCN incorporates integrative therapies throughout symptom management pathways.

— Lorenzo Cohen, STAT, 22 Sep. 2026
In two South Florida congressional districts, the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board endorses long-time Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and, in an open seat, newcomer Pia Dandiya.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of endorses

Verb

This step introduces air into the eggs, which aids in leavening and keeps the blondies from baking up too dense.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
The absence of the SLC women and their tension with Barlow aids the convivial atmosphere, but Lisa isn’t completely safe from a whacking.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of aids

Verb

As performance cars increasingly isolate drivers from the mechanical process of driving, the simple act of reaching for that unique shift knob reinforces the notion that the tactile pleasures of driving are still worth celebrating.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Tom Pelphrey’s recent Emmy win for Task only reinforces that view, as do the flourishing careers of Lewis Pullman and Imogen Poots.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Verb

The global association advocates for the Catholic Church to do more to improve mental healthcare.

— Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Beyond opposing the state takeover, CVPE advocates against mandatory STAAR testing and urges parents to boycott the exams.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026