Definition Synonyms
Definition of backward - Reverso English Dictionary
Adverb
1.
orderin a reversed order or sequence
- The pages were numbered backward.
2.
timetoward or into the past
- Looking backward, he realized his mistakes.
3.
regressionoppositely to desired progress
- The policy changes moved the company backward.
4.
directional movementtowards the back or rear
- He glanced backward nervously..
Adjective
1.
directionaldirected towards the back
- He glanced backward nervously..
2.
movementmoving in the opposite direction to usual
- The car made a backward turn.
3.
behaviorUK shy or reluctant to actUK
- She was too backward to ask for a promotion..
4.
orderreversed in order or sequence
- The backward numbering confused everyone.
5.
cultureDated undeveloped or unsophisticatedDated
- The region was considered backward by modern standards.
6.
learningDated slow to learn or understandDated
- The child was backward in reading skills.
7.
chessTECH. of a pawn, unable to move forward safelyTECH.
- The backward pawn was a strategic disadvantage.
Expressions with backward
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move one step in reverse direction
He took a step backward to avoid the puddle.
make a great effort to help or please someone
She will bend over backward to make her guests feel comfortable.
making progress but facing more setbacks
Every time we solve a problem, another arises, it's one step forward, two steps backward.
moving in two opposite directions repeatedly
The pendulum swings backward and forward.
move the upper body backward from the waist
She can bend backward easily during her yoga class.
move or drop in reverse direction
He lost his balance and began to fall backward.
move in the direction behind
She had to go backward to avoid the obstacle.
turn head to see behind
She looked backward to check for traffic.
movement of one foot behind the other
He took a step backward to avoid the puddle.
plan or solve by starting from the end result
We work backward to figure out the steps needed.
quick look over the shoulder to see behind
She gave a backward glance before leaving the room.
action that makes a situation worse or less advanced
The new law is a backward step for education.
leaving without looking back or hesitating
She left the room without a backward glance.
method of working from effect to cause
Reasoning backward helped the scientist identify the source of the problem.
focused on past ideas or methods
His backward-looking policies hindered the company's growth.
ability to work with older systems or versions
This software offers backward compatibility with previous versions.
able to work with older hardware or software
The new software is fully backward compatible with the previous version..
merging with businesses upstream
Backward integration helped the firm reduce costs by merging with its suppliers.
connection between a company and its suppliers
The company improved efficiency through strong backward linkage with its raw material suppliers.
method in AI starting from the goal backward
The AI used backward chaining to solve the problem.
legal principle requiring reference to previous text
The court applied the backward reference doctrine to interpret the statute.
Origin of backward
Old English, bæc (back) + weard (toward)
Terms with backward included in their meaning
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direction
directed or moving backward
literal movement
move backward into something
event timing
counting backward to an event or action
backward motion
moving backward or in the opposite direction
movement
literal backward movement
automobile
the gear setting for backward travel
movement
the act of moving one foot forward or backward
technology
time display or device that counts backward to zero before an event
movement
move backward in a retreat
vehicle movement
start moving backward by using the reverse gear
driving
moving backward using the reverse setting
physical movement
move quickly backward by jumping
physical force
push someone backward by force
arm movement
extend one's arm backward
transportation
move backward out of a space
movement
move backward to create space
movement
to tilt something backward
finance
check money by reading amounts backward from cost to payment
soccer strike
kick something backward with the back part of the foot
animal behavior
backward kick by a donkey or similar animal
football
move backward from the line of scrimmage
sudden movement
move quickly and suddenly in a backward direction
battle tactics
going backward, pulling away from a place or situation
driving
the act of moving a vehicle backward
Examples of backward in a sentence
The film was played backward for effect. He wished he could travel backward to fix things. The story moved backward to reveal the character's past. His grades are slipping backward. The reforms pushed the system backward. She took a step backward to avoid the puddle.
The car rolled backward down the hill. She took a backward step. The backward movement of the train was unexpected. She took a backward step to avoid the puddle. He felt too backward to join the conversation. His backward nature made socializing difficult. The backward steps led to confusion. Instructions were given in a backward sequence. Their backward traditions hindered progress in the community. The backward policies of the government were heavily criticized. He was considered backward in mathematics. The student was backward in grasping new concepts. The backward pawn blocked the bishop's path. He lost the game due to a backward pawn.
View all translations of backward
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:à l'envers, arrière, ...
- German:rückwärts, rückwärtsgerichtet, ...
- Italian:a ritroso, retrogrado, ...
- Spanish:al revés, retrocediendo, ...
- Portuguese:ao contrário, retrógrado, ...
- Chinese:倒着, 倒退的, ...
- Japanese:逆に, 後ろ向きの, ...
- Arabic:بِتَرْتِيب عَكْسِي, خَلْفِيّ, ...
- Hebrew:בְּסֵדֶר הָפוּךְ, אֲחוֹרִי, ...
- Russian:назад, в обратном направлении, ...
- Ukrainian:назад, зворотний, ...
- Hindi:उल्टे क्रम में, पश्चमुख, ...
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