EN

Synonyms for backwards

7 synonyms
3 antonyms
1 meaning

adverb
adjective
British English

Most common

rearward rearwards retroflexively

All synonyms

Adverb

1. Rearwards

back, rearwards, rearward, aback dated

Other

back to front, retroflexively

Adjective

Antonyms

down, forward, sideways

All antonyms of backwards →

Definitions

adv. 1
Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
adj. 1
Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.

Related words

Phrases: bend over backwards lean over backwards backwards and forwards bugger me backwards

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
backwards		rising
rearward		falling
rearwards		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters: back¹
5 letters: aback²
8 letters: rearward
9 letters: primitive³, rearwards
14 letters: retroflexively

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (aback² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: à rebours