Showing results for back when.

back when

Part of Speech:

All (6) Adjective (1) Adverb (5)

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past adj.
ago adv.
anciently adv.
formerly adv.
once adv.
previously adv.

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.

See Examples For:

back when

SINGAPORE—Imagine a crypto billionaire paying a supposed $4.5 million fee so he can marry a Hollywood star—and then hiring a celebrity lawyer to get the cash back when the romance fizzled.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

A U.S. men’s player hasn’t won the Open singles title since Andy Roddick did it in 2003, back when Netflix was still mailing you Stallone DVDs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Instead, it reveals a man who repeatedly pushed back when he believed he was being treated unfairly, even as he endured lasting physical pain, financial hardship, and emotional strain.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

An email to the address on the Nightingale Collective website bounced back when the BBC contacted it.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

I googled bar mitzvah back when I first found out Link was having one.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

back when

Example Sentences

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