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move backward


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Also see: move

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
back•ward /ˈbækwɚd/USA pronunciation   adv. Also, ˈback•wards. 
  1. toward the back or rear:I leaned backward in my chair.
  2. with the back moving first or facing forward:The helicopter flew backward.
  3. in the reverse of the usual or right way: counting backward from 100.
  4. toward the past: Looking backward, I remember how I felt.

adj. 
  1. [before a noun] directed toward the back or past:a backward look.
  2. [before a noun] reversed;
    returning:a backward movement.
  3. behind in time, progress, or development:send help to backward countries.
  4. bashful or hesitant;
    shy:a little backward giving his opinions.
Idioms
  1. backward(s) and forward(s), in every detail;
    thoroughly.
  2. Idioms bend, lean, or fall over backward, [no obj]to make a serious effort:He bent over backward to be polite.

back•ward•ly, adv. 
back•ward•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
back•ward  (bak′wərd),USA pronunciation adv. Also, back′wards. 
  1. toward the back or rear.
  2. with the back foremost.
  3. in the reverse of the usual or right way:counting backward from 100.
  4. toward the past:to look backward over one's earlier mistakes.
  5. toward a less advanced state;
    retrogressively:Since the overthrow of the president the country has moved steadily backward.
  6. Idioms backward and forward, thoroughly:He knew his lesson backward and forward.Also, backwards and forwards. 

adj. 
  1. directed toward the back or past.
  2. reversed;
    returning:a backward movement; a backward journey.
  3. behind in time or progress;
    late;
    slow:a backward learner; a backward country.
  4. bashful or hesitant;
    shy:a backward lover.
  • Middle English bakwarde. See back1, -ward 1250–1300
back′ward•ly, adv. 
back′ward•ness, n. 
    • 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged tardy; retarded, underdeveloped.
    • 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged disinclined; timid, retiring.
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged forward.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
backward / ˈbækwəd/
  1. (usually prenominal) directed towards the rear: a backward glance
  2. slow in physical or material development
  3. having difficulty learning
  4. of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary
  5. (in combination): backward-looking
  6. reluctant or bashful: a backward lover
  1. a variant of backwards
ˈbackwardness
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
backwards / ˈbækwədz/, backward
  1. towards the rear
  2. with the back foremost
  3. in the reverse of usual order or direction
  4. to or towards the past
  5. into a worse state
  6. towards the point of origin
  7. bend over backwards, lean over backwards, fall over backwards ⇒ to make a special effort, esp in order to please
'move backward' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
back - backwater - regress - retrogress

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