frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

on his backbone. 2 mainstay, chief or main support, buttress,
pillar: Sheila has been the backbone of the society, but she
has now moved away. 3 resoluteness, sturdiness, firmness,
determination, strength (of character), mettle, purposefulness,
resolution, courage, fortitude, resolve, will, will-power,
strength, stability, stamina, staying power, grit: Has she the
backbone to run the company alone?
backer n. 1 supporter, advocate, promoter, sponsor, patron: She has
always been an enthusiastic backer of adult education. 2
investor, benefactor or benefactress, supporter, underwriter,
Colloq angel: The play's backers have made huge profits. 3
bettor, Brit punter: His backers are offering odds of 10 to 1.
background
n. 1 history, experience, qualifications, credentials,
grounding, training; breeding, upbringing, family; curriculum
vitae, Colloq CV: His background suits him admirably for the
post of ambassador. 2 distance, offing, horizon, obscurity: I
like the way the coastline disappears into the background
towards the edge of the painting. 3 in the background.
inconspicuous, unnoticed, unobtrusive, behind the scenes, out of
the limelight or spotlight, unseen, out of the public eye,
backstage: Edward prefers to remain in the background, letting
his dealer bid at the auctions.
backing n. 1 support, help, aid, assistance, succour; approval,
endorsement, patronage, approval, sponsorship: He knows that he
can rely on the backing of his local party. 2 investment,
money, funds, funding, subsidy, grant; sponsorship: How can you
launch the company without backing?
backlash n. reaction, repercussion, recoil, counteraction, rebound,
kickback, backfire; boomerang: There was a strong backlash in
the USA against giving minorities preferred instead of equal job
opportunities.
backward adj. 1 bashful, shy, reticent, diffident, retiring, coy, timid,
unwilling, loath, chary, reluctant, averse: She took him to be
a bit backward when he didn't respond to her smile. 2 slow,
dim-witted, dull, stupid, slow-witted, dumb, feeble-minded,
Colloq Brit gormless, dim: Some of the more backward students
will need extra help. 3 slow, late, behindhand, retarded: