backwards

backward

/ (ˈbækwədz) /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR backwards ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

towards the rear

with the back foremost

in the reverse of usual order or direction

to or towards the past

into a worse statethe patient was slipping backwards

towards the point of origin

bend over backwards, lean over backwards or fall over backwards informal to make a special effort, esp in order to please

know backwards informal to understand completely

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

Often it means something is impossible.

It’s another way to agree with someone.

It serves as an apology.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby backwards

back walkover, backward, backward and forward, backwardation, backward heart failure, backwards, backwash, backwater, backwater valve, backwind, backwoods

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

Example sentences from the Web for backwards

The city is bending over backwards for restaurants, hair salons, barbershops – that they would consider putting another layer of red tape to re-open hotels is really unfair.
City to Weigh Measure Giving Laid-Off Hotel Workers First Shot at Open Jobs|Maya Srikrishnan|September 8, 2020|Voice of San Diego
We should note that some political scientists argue that Gehl and Porter’s analysis of party power has it backwards.
America’s Hidden Duopoly (Ep. 356 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 3, 2020|Freakonomics
It works great looking backwards, but going forwards it doesn’t work.
The Economics of Sports Gambling (Ep. 388 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 20, 2020|Freakonomics
It’s also clear that this is not how the brain solves the learning problem, because it requires error signals to be sent backwards in both time and space across the synapses between neurons, which is clearly impossible.
A New Brain-Inspired Learning Method for AI Saves Memory and Energy|Edd Gent|July 27, 2020|Singularity Hub

It strikes me that you got that exactly backwards with your political career.
The Prime Minister Who Cried Brexit (Ep. 392)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 10, 2019|Freakonomics
Since bandwidth has become reasonable, paying extra for it feels like a backwards move.
Porn Fights For Your Right to Surf: Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube Lead Charge For Net Neutrality|Aurora Snow|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the search for an alternative, both writers looked not forward, but backwards.
In the Future We'll All Be Renters: America's Disappearing Middle Class|Joel Kotkin|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking up about this backwards philosophy is actually how she got the gig.
Who’s That ‘Bum’ Girl? The Brit Telling Americans How To Wipe Their Asses|Sara Lieberman|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People are jumping forwards and backwards, and the results are haunting and moving.The making-of-the-video is worth a watch.
Zooey Deschanel & More of the Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)|Jean Trinh|May 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kerry responded that Peres had it backwards: this was a matter of the parties' agency.
Kerry's Peace Push A Nothing-Burger?|Ali Gharib|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The distance is 670 miles, which could be performed in four days and six days, backwards and forwards.
A General Plan for a Mail Communication by Steam, Between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western Parts of the World|James M'Queen, Esq.
I cannot bend forward,' says the Devil, 'for backwards are my knees.'
Ancient Irish Poetry|Various
Quickly Florence returned the pressure, then began pulling her backwards.
The Mystery of Carlitos|Helen Randolph
Charnock struck him with his shoulder and forced him backwards by the weight of the bag.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss
In the Scottish version there are only two girls who join hands and pull each other backwards and forwards, repeating the words.
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol I of II)|Alice Bertha Gomme

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

backwards

backward

adverb

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

Words nearby backwards

Example sentences from the Web for backwards

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

backwards

backward

adverb

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

Words nearby backwards

Words related to backwards

Example sentences from the Web for backwards