I. adverb
Synonyms: about 6, again, around, back, in reverse, round, round about
II. adjective
1.
directed, turned, or executed backward
the backward swimming of the crayfish
Synonyms: retral, retrograde
Related Word: inverted, reversed
Antonyms: advance, forward
2.
Synonyms: disinclined , afraid, averse, hesitant, indisposed, loath, reluctant, shy, uneager, unwilling
Related Word: bashful, diffident
3.
Synonyms: shy 1, bashful, demure, diffident, modest, retiring, self-effacing, timid, unassertive, unassured
4.
Synonyms: retarded , dim-witted, dull, feebleminded, half-witted, imbecile, moronic, simpleminded, slow, slow-witted
5.
holding to outworn or traditional views, ideas, or principles
had a backward attitude toward social inferiors
Synonyms: benighted, ignorant, unenlightened, unprogressive
Related Word: conservative, reactionary; obtuse, stupid, thickheaded; bigoted, hidebound, narrow; blind; unenlightened, uninformed
Contrasted words: advanced, aware, enlightened, forward-looking, progressive, unbenighted
6.
not developing or progressing especially in economic and social areas
backward nations using primitive farming methods
Synonyms: behindhand, underdeveloped, undeveloped, unprogressive
Related Word: poor, struggling; medieval; benighted, retarded, uncultivated, uncultured
Idioms: behind the times
Contrasted words: forward-looking, progressive; civilized, cultivated, cultured; modern
Antonyms: advanced