Synonyms of behind

behind 1 of 4

preposition

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

• back of
• in back of
• abaft

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• before
• ahead of

2

as in after

subsequent to in time or order

we arrived behind them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• after
• following
• below
• past
• since
• après
• next to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• of
• before
• to
• prior to
• previous to
• ahead of
• toward
• afore
• ere

behind

2 of 4

adverb

as in back

Related Words

• after
• back
• rearward
• backward
• posteriorly
• aft
• astern
• abaft
• sternward

Dissimilar Words

• forward
• before
• ahead
• fore
• anteriorly

behind

3 of 4

adjective

bi-ˈhīnd 

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

• delayed
• late
• delinquent
• tardy
• behindhand
• belated
• slow
• overdue
• dragging
• postponed
• lagging
• latish
• detained
• laggard
• dilatory
• sluggish
• unhurried
• poky
• dawdling
• dallying
• dillydallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• early
• premature
• untimely
• precocious
• opportune
• timely
• inopportune
• prompt
• unseasonable
• seasonable
• punctual

behind

4 of 4

noun

ˈbē-ˌhīnd 

as in seat

the part of the body upon which someone sits

cleaned the baby's behind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seat
• tail
• cheeks
• bum
• bottom
• rear
• rump
• backside
• rear end
• posterior
• tail end
• butt
• fundament
• caboose
• can
• buns
• buttocks
• duff
• beam
• haunches
• breech
• fanny
• hunkers
• stern
• booty
• nates
• hams
• tush
• heinie
• derriere
• keister
• moon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of behind

Preposition

Each member of the trio is somewhat hidden, tucked behind a secret door or accessible by a discreet elevator, but still in a mix with other eateries. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

In 2013, Golod was part of the producing team behind CBS Television Studios and CW’s reboot of Tales from the Darkside, which ultimately did not get picked up to series. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026

Adverb

The Highlanders have been thriving behind running back Chris Johnson, who has 841 yards and 16 TDs in five games. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026

Last year’s Celebrity Traitors Season 1 kicked off with 3 million fewer viewers and the opener of the civilian Traitors from earlier this year was similarly far behind. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 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

Phrases Containing behind

• behind bars
• drop behind
• fall behind
• wet behind the ears