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   backward

   /ˈbakwəd/

   adjective

   • 1. directed behind or to the rear: "she left the room without a backward glance" Similar reverseto/towards the rearrearwardto/towards the backbehind oneOpposite forward
   • ▪ reverting to an inferior state; retrograde: "the decision was a backward step" Similar retrograderetrogressiveregressiveunprogressivefor the worsein the wrong directiondownhillnegativeOpposite progressiveforward-looking
   • 2. having made less progress than is normal or expected: "a backward agricultural country" Similar underdevelopedundevelopedunsophisticatedprimitivebenightedOpposite advancedsophisticated
   • ▪ (of a person) having an intellectual disability. dated, offensive
   • 3. lacking the confidence to do (something): "he was not backward in displaying his talents" Similar reticent abouthesitant aboutreluctant tounwilling toafraid toloath toaverse toshy aboutdiffident aboutunconfident aboutbashful abouttimid aboutcoy aboutinformal:backward in coming forwardOpposite confidentbold
   • 4. (of a fielding position) behind an imaginary line passing through the stumps at the batsman's end at right angles to the wicket: "backward square leg"

   adverb

   • 1. another word for backwards

   Word Origin Middle English: from earlier abackward, from aback.

   Derivatives

   • 1. backwardly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 20

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

   • W

     4

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • D

     2

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