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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

When Jason Larimore came out as gay in 1994 in small-town Kentucky, almost everyone in his life turned their backs on him except his mom — and Dolly Parton. — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Dallas cleaned house on the defensive coaching staff, hiring 34-year-old defensive backs coach Christian Parker from Philadelphia as their new coordinator. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 As for freshman running backs Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, Denbrock complimented the four-star prospects’ potential while also throwing cold water on expectations for them this early in their careers. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The high volume of give-backs is proof that the current sizing system is no longer accurate or effective. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 The Pasadena native grew up around the program and attended UCLA games at the Rose Bowl, where his dad, Demetrice Martin, was the defensive backs coach from 2012-2017. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Juancarlos Payano anchors the defensive front line, while standout defensive backs Evan Sorkness and Solomon are also back, along with linebacker Davin Scott. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Those include junior running backs Jaquel Edmonds and Jorden Moore, who combined to rush for 1,493 yards and 15 TDs, and senior wide receivers Kyron Hart, who made 38 catches for 761 yards and eight TDs, and Michael Pierre. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

El Sayed also backs government ownership of artificial intelligence. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026 Jeff Hafley was then the new running backs coach at Division III Worcester (Massachusetts) Polytechnic Institute. — Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026 Funding backs expansion Sila already produces Titan Silicon at its Alameda, California facility. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 Admittedly, this scribe has waxed lovingly about way too many Broncos backs over the years. — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Zetter Bloomsbury is spread across six of these townhouses, complete with an expansive, secret courtyard that backs directly onto the British Museum. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 That style of coaching is one of the reasons that new running backs coach Antonio Wilcox followed Sammis from UConn to Fort Worth. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026 The Pentagon's own data backs that up too, with financial compensation and benefits ranking as a top reason for joining the military. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 It should also be sealed in a holder made by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), which grades and backs coins. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs

Noun

Universal constants arise often in math problems, and even the square root of log(N) rears its head once in a while.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
When justice recedes, revenge rears its bloodstained head.

— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of rears

Noun

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
Other common causes of soft spots include bruising during transport or storage, or improper storage.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft spots

Verb

Posture is often more important than vitality, since deathblows can be activated even if an enemy has high health, but higher health also aids faster posture recovery, both for Wolf and his enemies.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
The Ocean Between Them costars Riverdale’s Karl Walcott, and Dane appears as Ashley, Joan’s youngest daughter, who aids her in the search.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of aids

Verb

The data reinforces the stark need for action along these lines, as do the tragic stories of far too many first responders who have made significant sacrifices for their communities and are met with newfound dangers for their troubles.

— Sen. Saud Anwar, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
The material produced by the league so far, according to the filing, reinforces the necessity of complete transparency.

— Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforces

Verb

Kushner is on the board of Sharsheret, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Jewish breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer patients — and their families — in the United States and Israel.

— Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
In one video, creator Deborah Wanjala advocates for the viral Abbey Yung hair method, displaying her years-in-the-making product arsenal packed with Amika, Living Proof, K18, and Redken alongside drugstore brands like Dove and Pantene.

— Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026