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Showing results for back when.

back when

ADJECTIVE
past
Synonyms
STRONGEST
earlier early late old preceding previous prior recent
STRONG
ancient bygone latter over
WEAK
ages ago ancient history behind one bypast down memory lane erstwhile ex- foregoing gone-by good old days latter-day long-ago olden days once one-time quondam retired sometime time was way back way back when
Antonyms
STRONGEST
after current future later on time
STRONG
modern new
WEAK
present
ADVERB
ago
Synonyms
WEAK
ages ago back before from way back from year one gone since since God knows when time was
ADVERB
anciently
Synonyms
WEAK
eons ago in days of yore long ago of old olden days
ADVERB
formerly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
already earlier heretofore once
STRONG
erstwhile
WEAK
a while back aforetime anciently at one time away back back before before now before this down memory lane eons ago erewhile in former times in the olden days in the past lately long ago of old of yore olden days once upon a time radically some time ago time was used to be water under the bridge
Antonyms
WEAK
currently future presently subsequently
ADVERB
once
Synonyms
STRONGEST
already before earlier formerly late previously
STRONG
erstwhile
WEAK
a single time at one time away back back but once bygone heretofore in the old days in the olden days in times gone by in times past long ago old on one occasion once only once upon a time one one time before one time previously only one time quondam sometime this time time was whilom
Antonyms
STRONGEST
currently future later presently
ADVERB
previously
Synonyms
STRONGEST
already formerly heretofore hitherto long ago once then
STRONG
antecedently
WEAK
a while ago ahead ante at one time away back back before beforehand erstwhile fore forward in advance in anticipation in days gone by in the past precedently time was until now
Antonyms
WEAK
currently future later presently

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.

“We are going to suspend it for a period, and then we will put it back when gas goes down,” Trump said.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“He knows exactly when to stand forward, when to stand back, when to speak up, when to support, when to say the word ‘and’ rather than ‘but,’ ” Makan said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“Today, a strap is a strap, but back when ‘Madame X’ was painted by Sargent, a strap was a scandal.”

From Salon • May 6, 2026

But, trust me, you’ll want it back when you have to pay your next one.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

I remember he’d do the same thing back when we were friends, when he wanted to borrow one of my favorite books or wanted me to help him with homework he didn’t understand.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender