backward

adjective

1 a backward look | a backward movement:

reverse;

to/towards the rear, rearward, to/towards the back;

behind one.

▷antonyms forward.

2 the decision was a backward step:

retrograde, retrogressive, regressive, unprogressive, for the worse, in the wrong direction, downhill, negative.

▷antonyms progressive, forward-looking.

3 an economically backward country:

underdeveloped, undeveloped, unsophisticated;

primitive, benighted.

▷antonyms advanced, sophisticated.

4 he was not backward in displaying his talents:

reticent about, hesitant about, reluctant to, unwilling to, afraid to, loath to, averse to;

shy about, diffident about, unconfident about, bashful about, timid about, coy about;

informal backward in coming forward.

▷antonyms confident, bold.

word links	backward
retro- related prefix, as in retrograde, retrocede

backward Oxford Dictionary of English