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848 1.0
To support someone or something
  • verb
  • /bæk/
: respaldar
  • The community decided to back the local charity by donating money and resources.
  • government-backed
  • back a claim
  • administration-backed

Stephen Bartlett is backing Elon Musk in SpaceX.

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Examples

  • Just to back you up a little bit...

  • We urge all our supporters to back Tremblay.

  • Whatever it is, we'll back you up.

  • Software houses will deliver quality and back it up with product liability guarantees.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Will that back up Laura Manion's story?

  • If you want me to help, I will back you in this project.

  • The company has decided to back the new initiative aimed at reducing waste.

Synonyms

to support
vsto back
∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

is the general act of giving help or approval
to endorse
vsto back
366 4.2

To publicly show support for a person or idea

is similar but used more generally, not only publicly or officially
to back up
vsto back
321 3.0

Help someone or show evidence for an idea

is broader, meaning general backing rather than only practical aid
to have (someone's) back
vsto back
  • Informal
148 4.1

Support and protect someone in hard times

is broader, covering many kinds of help or approval
to get someone's back
vsto back
  • Informal
94 5.5

To help and protect someone when things are difficult

applies more generally to giving help or approval, not only protection
to second
vsto back
  • Formal
33 4.6

To give formal support to a proposal during a meeting

is wider in use, not limited to formal meeting procedures
to plump for
vsto back
  • UK
1 7.3

Choose someone or something after thinking about other options

is general assistance or approval rather than a choice after thought
to plunk for
vsto back
  • Informal
1 8.5

To choose to support someone, often by voting

is the basic act of giving help or approval in many contexts
to indorse
vsto back
  • Archaic
1 7.9

To show public support for someone or something

matches public approval but is the more common modern form

To support a person or idea by using your influence

is general approval rather than specifically using influence or power

Antonyms

610 2.9

To be against something and try to stop it

Idioms

475 2.0

Moving one way and then the other again and again

224 4.3

In a secret way without someone knowing, often to hurt them

back in the day
  • Informal
187 5.5

A time in the past people remember with warm feelings, often when they were young

148 4.1

Support and protect someone in hard times

way back when
  • Informal
40 7.3

A long time ago

Returned to taking part after being away or having problems

A point after which you cannot go back or undo a decision

23 5.5

Become successful or active again after a long time away

21 4.3

To start again after a failure

from way back
  • Informal
18 7.7

Since a long time ago

17 5.2

To go back to an earlier time or wish you could

16 5.0

Kept for later and given lower priority

To go to a place and back again

Because of something, often a success, something else happens

10 5.0

To try again after a failure, especially when you feel afraid

Start again from the beginning when a plan or idea fails

8 7.2

A person who gives all they have to help others

6 6.4

You have support or good conditions that help you succeed

Look out for each other in dangerous situations

So generous that they would give almost everything to help others

back to the wall
  • Informal
3 7.6

In a situation with very few choices where you must try hard to survive or win

To start doing your normal work and activities after a break

3 6.3

Feel very strong love for someone

2 7.2

Able to work well again after a break

To annoy someone or make them feel defensive

To try to undo something you cannot change

To have very hard times and still survive

Progress that bigger problems later undo

1 9.0

Not upset or harmed when something happens to someone else

To get things someone probably stole and sold cheaply

Does not let criticism or insults affect them

To make someone angry or ready to argue

Try to make things the way they were after they changed

1 6.9

Make someone feel young again when they remember the past

To praise yourself too much for something you did

1 9.6

A future problem someone creates for themselves that causes trouble later

Very annoyed and no longer willing to accept someone or something

1 9.6

To be told off strongly or to listen very carefully

1 8.6

In a weak position after a problem or unexpected event

Lying on the back on the ground because someone is tired, hurt, or sick

Treat someone in the same bad way they treated you

back end of a bus
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Something that looks very ugly and unpleasant

6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

A style that looks formal at the front and casual at the back

Surprised and not ready to deal with a sudden problem

To notice things happening behind you without turning around

A face that people think is very ugly

To know something very well and do it easily

Know a place or thing very well because you have seen it many times

Do something that causes trouble for yourself later

8.7

A problem that stays with you and causes worry

8.1

Someone keeps something secret to use later for an advantage

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 1.3

To return to how it was before

∞ 1.0

Return to a previous place, topic, or state

∞ 1.6

Have again something you had before it was lost or taken

∞ 1.7

Return someone or something to the place they came from

886 1.0

Return something to the place where it was before

781 1.0

Return something to the person who owns it after you use or borrow it

707 2.8

Phone someone who called you earlier

599 2.1

Return someone or something to the place they came from

598 2.6

Think about the past, especially a time you remember

536 1.5

To return something to the person or place it came from

to back up
  • Specialized
477 2.7

Move backwards to make space or avoid something

to back off
  • Informal
443 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

400 3.0

Get back something you had given, lent, or lost

388 1.7

To step away to an earlier place

347 1.6

Give back money you borrowed from someone

321 3.0

Help someone or show evidence for an idea

320 3.4

To move yourself and things backward from a place, person, or situation

289 1.3

To return to a previous subject or point

287 2.3

Come from an earlier time

262 3.3

Resist an attack or criticism by responding

251 2.1

To go back to a previous place or state

244 2.6

To reply to someone later with information

Start doing your job again after a break

196 3.9

Force a person or thing to move backward in body and feeling

159 1.4

Turn your head or eyes to see behind you

156 2.9

To reduce how much you buy and use to save money and be healthier

152 3.5

Say that what you said before was wrong and you no longer believe it

146 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

141 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

139 3.0

Make someone remember something from the past

to sit back
  • Informal
138 3.5

To do nothing when you should help

to sit back
  • Informal
131 2.7

To lean back and relax while you watch

129 1.6

Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety

to get back
  • Informal
129 4.2

Do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

116 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

to back out
  • Informal
112 3.4

Decide not to do something you promised to do

111 3.9

Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure

110 3.0

To come from an earlier time

109 1.9

Remember things that happened in the past

103 3.4

Get back someone or something you lost

103 3.0

Support others by offering time or money to say thank you

95 3.7

To move back to a safer place when facing danger

to get back at
  • Informal
94 5.6

To do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

94 5.5

To help and protect someone when things are difficult

93 3.6

Pause and think about a situation to understand it better

to come back
  • Informal
87 4.1

To reply quickly and strongly to a remark

86 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

to take back
  • Informal
82 3.1

Make someone remember a time from the past

80 2.6

To make the inside face outwards

Use less of something to save money or be healthier

78 2.2

Move your upper body away from sitting upright to rest more comfortably

76 3.4

To pay money to get something you once sold, lost, or gave away

Get better quickly after an illness, problem, or setback

Start working normally again after a problem or distraction

69 3.9

Begin a relationship again with someone after it ended

To make someone remember the past, for example a song or photo

to talk back
  • Informal
62 5.4

Reply rudely to someone in charge like a teacher or boss

60 3.3

Ask someone to return after they have left

To make people and things alive or working again

58 3.2

Keep something for later use

53 4.2

To cause a delay and slow progress

46 4.3

To use something for help when other options fail

42 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

41 4.1

Break a promise or agreement

To pause and think again about a situation to see the bigger picture

38 4.6

To hesitate and stay behind the group

38 3.0

Hear or watch a recording again on a device

To fight back after someone attacks or hurts you

To turn around and go back the way you came

32 3.6

To move quickly backwards and lose balance so you land on something

29 6.0

To force someone or something to move away

27 4.4

To return to a topic later to talk about it

27 3.2

Make a copy of computer files to prevent loss

Compounds

197 1.0

A door at the back of a building used as an extra entrance

out back
  • Informal
169 2.3

The area outside at the back of a building or house

running back
  • Jargon
110 2.8

A player in American football who runs with the ball to gain yards for the team

94 3.4

A room at the back of a shop or office used for private meetings with a few people

72 3.7

Happening one after another with no break between them

47 3.6

Calling someone again after missing their call or message

29 2.7

A narrow street behind buildings used as a shortcut

28 3.1

A small quiet road used to avoid traffic and reach local homes

25 3.8

The rear part of something opposite the front

24 2.3

A covered area outside at the back door of a house

back burner
  • Informal
21 3.9

A task or plan kept for later because it is not urgent

20 5.9

A secret way to enter a system or place by avoiding security

back channel
  • Literature
14 7.7

A secret way to talk privately between governments or leaders

call-back
  • Jargon
13 4.1

Asking workers who were laid off to return to work

12 1.8

A door at the back of a building that people use to enter

A promise from a seller to give back the full price if you are not satisfied

back talk
  • Informal
8 7.2

Rude replies people give to someone in charge

8 5.7

A remote wild area far from towns and roads

8 3.3

A narrow street behind main streets that few people use

back office
  • Jargon
7 3.7

A part of a company that does office and support work away from customers

6 3.4

A quick recovery after a setback

back pocket
  • Informal
6 4.2

A plan kept ready to use in case of need

back end
  • Specialized
6 3.7

The part of a program that runs on a server and stores and processes data

back brace
  • Specialized
5 3.9

A device you wear around your back to support it and help you sit or stand straight

5 3.5

An order for goods not in stock that are sent later

The back part of a goal where the ball goes when a player scores

3 2.2

A tooth at the back of the mouth, like a molar

Made quickly and simply to give a rough calculation or plan

2 9.8

A place far from towns and people

Three events happening one after another without a break

bounce-back
  • Texting
1 3.7

An automatic message that tells the sender their email was not delivered

1 9.6

A distant part of a farm often about forty acres used for grazing or crops

1 3.0

The movement of a ball or object after it hits a surface and comes back

A move that makes the muscles in your back stronger

back-seat driver
  • Offensive
1 5.3

A person who gives unwanted advice while someone else does a task

back-blast
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A strong flow of hot gas pushed back from a fired weapon that can injure people behind it

1 7.8

A chair with a back made of horizontal slats like a ladder

A pain in the back muscles that comes after lifting or sudden movement

1 8.4

The area where the lower back meets the bottom

1 8.9

A person who works secretly to influence decisions

A wooden chair with a back made of several flat horizontal pieces

call-back
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A piece of code given to another function to run later when an action finishes

1 7.2

A less-used hallway at the back of a building that people use for private or service access

back matter
  • Specialized
1 6.0

Sections at the end of a book that give extra information like appendices and an index

1 3.6

Relating to the countryside and a simple, not fancy way of life

back judge
  • Jargon
1 5.5

An official in American football who stands deep behind defenders to watch the play and enforce rules

1 4.3

Showing quick recovery after a setback

Exercise where you bend your upper body back to strengthen the lower back

back-formation
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A word made by removing an ending from a longer word

back stance
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A martial arts position with the back leg bent and the front leg straight for balance and quick movement

relation back
  • Formal
1 9.9

Treating a later court document as filed on an earlier date

set-back
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A part of a building where the wall becomes narrower in steps

laid-back friend
  • Informal
1 3.0

A friend who is relaxed and does not get stressed easily

pass-back
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A ball moved backward to a teammate to keep possession

back-number
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who is no longer important or fashionable

1 9.1

A return to an earlier style or idea

back vowel
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A vowel you make with the tongue near the back of the mouth, like the 'o' in pole

1 9.9

An illegal drug that makes you see things that are not real

flanker back
  • Jargon
1 7.7

An American football player who stands near the sideline to catch passes

back bearing
  • Specialized
6.8

A direction directly opposite the one you found that you use to check your position

back circle
  • Specialized
9.3

A gymnastics move where a person lies on their back, arches their back and brings their feet to their head

back saw
  • Specialized
6.0

A saw with a stiff top edge used for making small, precise cuts in wood

A person well known in a small group, often a supporting actor in theatre

A person who secretly breaks into computer systems to steal information

back yer
  • Specialized
9.9

A Cyrillic letter written as Ъ or ъ that shows a hard consonant sound

back-patty
  • Slang
9.9

A small private action of praising yourself for something you did

7.4

A secret plan you keep to use if the main plan fails

hollow-back
  • Specialized
9.6

A deep inward curve in the lower back that changes posture

4.2

Sending a file back to the person who handled it before for review

water back
  • Archaic
8.9

A tank behind a stove or fireplace that heats water for home use

How Supportive

to endorse
366 4.2
to back
848 1.0
to approve
926 1.6

Surface Forms

back infinitive
backed past
backed past participle
backing present participle
backs third person singular

Etymology

Back comes from the old English word bæc meaning 'rear' and gives the idea of support from behind; a helpful way to remember this is to imagine standing behind someone to hold them up, which is why to back someone is to support them.