back-water

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it bog down cut back cut down ease off ease up embog hit the brakes hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed rein in set back wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is often called a "water bomb", where the upstream country can temporarily hold back water and then release it suddenly, without warning, causing massive damage downstream.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025

The cities will need to carefully treat garbage and other waste materials to get back water and create more soil for farming.

From NewsForKids.net • Feb. 12, 2024

Clogged gutters can back water up onto your roof, causing mold and damage.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2023

Fish and Wildlife Service sets minimum water levels to keep endangered c'waam and koptu, or suckerfish, alive, and Reclamation said it will hold back water so it can meet those minimum levels.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2023

"Away. Get us off her, back water, back water!"

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

back-water

Example Sentences

Related Words