backwards
Toward the rear
Backwards means in the reverse direction—opposite to usual forward motion or sequence.
You can walk backwards, count backwards from ten, or play a video backwards.
It also describes something oriented the wrong way: You've got your shirt on backwards.
Figuratively, backwards suggests being behind the times or underdeveloped: a backwards town.
The adverb form backward is interchangeable, though backwards is more common in British English.
Return to beginning
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
- VCRTape-based video recorder
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
- videoRecorded moving imagery
reel · spool · playback · VHS · Betamax · audiocassette · recorder · scrub
Turn to opposite
- invertReverse position or order
- flipQuick turning motion
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- oppositeReverse or contrary thing
counter · transpose · inverse · about-face · reversion · behind · rearward · astern
Decrease or refuse
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- decayGradual organic breakdown
worsen · relapse · retreat · recede · ebb · wane · diminish · retrogress
Intense prolonged craving
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- homesicknessLonging for one's dwelling
recollection · reverie · memory · flashback · yesteryear · bygone · past · retrospection
Hindering intended outcome
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
- setbackReverse in progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
detrimental · regressive · antiquated · outdated · behind-the-times · old-school · reactionary · unprogressive
Turned opposite way
- inside-outReversed so inner surface shows
- upside-downReversed in vertical orientation
- transposedSwitched the arrangement of
- flippedReversed position suddenly
rewind
Return to beginning
video · reel · spool · playback · VHS · Betamax · audiocassette · recorder · scrub · seek
reverse
Turn to opposite
opposite · counter · transpose · inverse · about-face · reversion · behind · rearward · astern · retreat
decline
Decrease or refuse
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- atrophyWasting from disuse
decay · worsen · relapse · retreat · recede · ebb · wane · diminish · retrogress · backslide
yearning
Intense prolonged craving
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
homesickness · recollection · reverie · memory · flashback · yesteryear · bygone · past · retrospection · hiraeth
counterproductive
Hindering intended outcome
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
- setbackReverse in progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
impediment · detrimental · regressive · antiquated · outdated · behind-the-times · old-school · reactionary · unprogressive · retrograde
inverted
Turned opposite way
- inside-outReversed so inner surface shows
- upside-downReversed in vertical orientation
- transposedSwitched the arrangement of
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- Misplacementswrong position, wrong slot, wrong shelf, wrong folder, wrong room
- directionsnorth, south, east, west, left
- spellingscolour, color, favour, favor, honour
- word searchhorizontal, vertical, diagonal, circling, circle
- crookedcrooked, askew, awry, lopsided, off-center
backwardsforwards
Toward what lies ahead
forward · ahead · frontwards · onward · forth
backwardsadvanced
Far along in development
progressive · forward-thinking · modern · developed · sophisticated
backwardsforwards
Toward what lies ahead
in order · chronologically · from start to finish · left to right · front to back
- bend over backwardsTry unusually hard to please
- going backwardsMoving in reverse direction
- bending over backwardsExtreme effort to please
- leaning over backwardsExtreme effort to accommodate
- bent over backwardsExerted maximal effort to please
- go backwardsMove in reverse direction