behind 1 of 4

preposition

Definition of behindnext
1
as in back of
at, to, or toward the rear of she preferred to be behind the lead hikers, who were always too much in a rush to enjoy the scenery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order we arrived behind them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

2 of 4

adverb

as in back

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

behind

3 of 4

adjective

bi-ˈhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in delayed
not arriving, occurring, or settled at the due, usual, or proper time the required work was behind, so now we're running late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

behind

4 of 4

noun

ˈbē-ˌhīnd How to pronounce behind (audio)
as in seat
the part of the body upon which someone sits cleaned the baby's behind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of behind
Preposition
Andrade, the Olympic champion on vault and the Olympic silver medalist in the all-around in Paris behind Simone Biles, edged Pease for gold. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Security restrained Kruse’s arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Masters of the Air star Turner is a bit behind with 25 percent. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Kate Hudson isn't quite ready to leave her Hawaiian getaway behind. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The chefs are running super-behind, so service is slow. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Like the scrappy bird in their nickname, the tenacious Toronto Blue Jays have clawed their way to 45 come-from-behind victories – most in the major leagues – and 87 overall, tops in the American League with under two weeks left in the 2025 campaign. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shortsleeve sits well-behind Minogue and Healey, with just $602,051 in cash on hand. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026 Green Dot has been handed a new group of far-behind students every single year. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind
  1. back of
  2. after
  3. back
  4. delayed
  5. seat
  6. rearward
  7. late
  8. tail
Preposition
  • As a small Catholic community in Boise, Idaho, was preparing for the Christmas season in December 1982, a man sitting in the back of the church collapsed.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Next, take your damp sponge and, using the larger, rounded end, pick up the foundation from the back of your hand and tap the product into the skin.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of back of
Preposition
  • The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Jeffries will campaign with Johnny Garcia, who’s running a competitive race in one of those seats where Republicans initially expected an easier pickup (after already forcing one longtime Democratic incumbent to retire).
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • Nebraska native Sydney Loofe was looking for love, or at least for some fun, while scrolling through Tinder back in 2017.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The drums are constantly switching, the gait galloping one way and then swerving back again, as if the music could go anywhere.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • In a later video clip posted to his TikTok, Ash could be seen FaceTiming his social media manager, explaining that the group’s paperwork caused the delayed entry.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The delayed flight was one of two crises that Haitian officials faced on Thursday with deportees being returned from the United States.
    — Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of delayed
Noun
  • Miller’s calculated the percentage chance that all 35 seats in play will go blue or red virtually in real time.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Jeffries will campaign with Johnny Garcia, who’s running a competitive race in one of those seats where Republicans initially expected an easier pickup (after already forcing one longtime Democratic incumbent to retire).
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of seat
Adverb
  • The floor plan centers around a single- or dual-seat lounge that faces rearward to provide views through the open entryway.
    — C.C. Weiss May 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026
  • Two of their toes point inward and two point rearward with sharp pointed claws.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of rearward
Adjective
  • Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership, a four-legged stationary lander, descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The core elements—airy melodies, drug talk, copious ad-libs—are old hat, but frank tales of suburban ennui and romantic strife give the Minneapolis rapper’s latest album a refreshingly personal air.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of late
Noun
  • Venice, Vienna, London, then years on the Proffers’ couch in Ann Arbor, then New York, a story ending, eventually, with coat tails, in Stockholm, receiving the Nobel Prize.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There is nothing truly random about whether a coin comes up heads or tails.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of tail

Phrases Containing behind

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behests
behind
behind bars
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Cite this Entry

“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about behind

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