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Synonyms

backed

American  
[bakt] / bækt /

adjective

  1. having a back, backing, setting, or support (often used in combination).

    a low-backed sofa.

  2. (of fabric) having an extra set of threads in either the warp or the weft to provide added warmth.

  3. Photography. (of a film or plate) coated with a substance for absorbing light and thereby reducing halation.

backed British  
/ bækt /

adjective

    1. having a back or backing

    2. ( in combination )

      high-backed

      black-backed
"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

Other Word Forms

  • half-backed adjective
  • well-backed adjective

Etymology

Origin of backed

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; back 1, -ed 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 2024 winner and last year's runner-up came into the race as the 9-2 favourite and backed that up by finishing ahead of Iroko, Jordans and Johnnywho.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down.”

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

The government has backed a number of species reintroduction programmes over the years as part of efforts to reverse this trend including re-establishing pine martens, beavers and whitefaced darter dragonflies.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Best compared the 2024 investment portfolios that backed those annuities with a snapshot of a similar universe of portfolios in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Instead of lunging forward to protect us, J.W. backed into the weeds, growling and whining.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

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.