backward

  • (a) directed or facing toward the back or rear
    • a backward view
  • (r) at or to or toward the back or rear
    • he moved back
    • tripped when he stepped backward
    • she looked rearward out the window of the car
    backwards, rearward, rearwards, back,
  • (r) in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
    • it's easy to get the "i" and the "e" backward in words like "seize" and "siege"
    • the child put her jersey on backward
    backwards,
  • (a) (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
    • a backward lover
  • (s) retarded in intellectual development feebleminded, half-witted, slow-witted,
  • (r) in or to or toward a past time
    • set the clocks back an hour
    • never look back
    • lovers of the past looking fondly backward
    back,
  • (s) having made less than normal progress
    • an economically backward country

Synonyms

backwards rearward rearwards back feebleminded half-witted slow-witted

Antonyms

forward forrad forrard forwards frontward frontwards ahead

See also

regressive retrospective timid

Words of close approximity

backwash
backward and forward backwardness backwards