back to the wall

ADJECTIVE

desperate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

despondent forlorn futile sad vain

STRONG

downcast goner

WEAK

at end of one's rope can't win dead duck despairing desponding gone hard up in the soup in the toilet inconsolable irrecoverable irremediable irretrievable no chance no-win running out of time sunk up against it up the creek useless wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful happy hopeful joyful

WEAK

calm confident content contented satisfactory satisfied secure unworried

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.

"I'll be looking 'where's the fire escape', 'where's my nearest exit?' Like sitting with my back to the wall so I can see everything at all times."

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2024

If you’re very sensitive to light, you can even get drapery rods that curve back to the wall, says Calista Munnell-Kruus of Calista Interiors in Seattle.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2023

And then, lo and behold, a week later, he goes back to the wall and robs a Grand Slam.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Now she had her back to the wall.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2023

Byrd looks back to the wall, like the rest of her sentence might be found splattered against it.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

back to the wall

Example Sentences

Related Words