variants
or backwards
1
a
: toward the back or rear
She glanced backward over her shoulder.
b
: with the back foremost
Take three steps backward.
2
a
: in a reverse or contrary direction or way
Count backward from 10.
b
: toward the past
a journey backward in time
c
: toward a worse state
His new job felt like a step backward.
see also:
1
a
: directed or turned toward the back
a backward glance
b
: done or executed backward
a backward somersault
3
: less advanced in development or accomplishment than what is typical or expected
… said he felt the news media had given Jasper the image of a backward country town.—Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever
backwardly
adverb
backwardness
noun
: the part behind or past
… the dark backward … of time …—Shakespeare
Cite this Entry
“Backward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backward. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.
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