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backwater

[bak-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈbækˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /


ADJECTIVE
back country
Synonyms




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.

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In 1877, he got to Los Angeles, then a 10,000-person backwater, and began working for the water company as a zanjero, or ditch-digger.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2026

That should alarm you even if you never fly beer to a dry village, because forfeiture in America is not a procedural backwater.

From Slate Jul. 28, 2026

Aiming to rehabilitate Zibo’s image as an industrial backwater, Jiang promoted the city as a production center for precooked meals, aiming to “allow the ‘Zibo flavor’ to spread its fragrance around the world.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 28, 2026

Sausalito has since transformed from hippie backwater to high-end suburb, but the club maintains an air of salty informality.

From The Wall Street Journal May 28, 2026

International economists often describe South Korea as the single most impressive example of what free markets, democratic government, and elbow grease can do to transform a small agrarian backwater into a global powerhouse.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden




Vocabulary lists containing backwater


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