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.
But this defeat felt like a huge step backwards, and Newcastle are languishing in 12th place in the top flight for a reason.
From BBC
The chair of the Welsh Rugby Union has warned the Welsh Parliament that proposals to remove him and change the sport's governance would be a "step backwards" for the game.
From BBC
I kind of write backwards — I start with the hook and then tell the story that way.
From Los Angeles Times
What I saw all but caused me to fall over backwards.
From Literature
Russell's quick restart caught them off guard with the ball bouncing backwards into the grateful arms of Darcy Graham who went over for the try.
From Barron's
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.
