backwards
Britishadverb
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towards the rear
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with the back foremost
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in the reverse of usual order or direction
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to or towards the past
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into a worse state
the patient was slipping backwards
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towards the point of origin
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informal to make a special effort, esp in order to please
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informal to understand completely
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.
However, a switch in ski events refers to skiing backwards and looking over your shoulders, primarily used for freestyle competitions.
From BBC
"In that sense, for me in my personal career, it almost felt like I'd taken a step backwards," he said.
From BBC
"Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia," said WhatsApp in a statement.
From BBC
The move requires a skater to launch themselves into a jump, spin four and a half times in the air, and cleanly land backwards.
From BBC
What you “see” is the combined effect of sight and your ear canals telling you that you are titling backwards.
From Science Daily
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.
