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

He quickly peels the banana and nonchalantly eats it while the camera rolls, before taping the peel back to the wall.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2023

Now she had her back to the wall.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2023

His back to the wall, Giroud did what he’s always done: prove any doubters wrong.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2022

We have to get out of the carts so we can roll them back to the wall and start over.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

back to the wall

Example Sentences

Related Words