backwater
noun
back·wa·ter
ˈbak-ˌwȯ-tər 
-ˌwä-
1
a
: water backed up in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide
b
: a body of water (such as an inlet or tributary) that is out of the main current of a larger body
2
a
: an isolated or backward place or condition
b
: an unpopular or unimportant field (as of study or business)
Synonyms
Examples of backwater in a Sentence
The once sleepy backwater is now a thriving city.
a distant backwater that didn't even have electricity at that time
Recent Examples on the Web
The Detroit music scene during those years was small and felt a bit like a cultural backwater.
—
David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2024
If your time in Kerala is short, consider visiting the backwaters in Poovar, 10 miles from the hotel.
—Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backwater 
David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2024
If your time in Kerala is short, consider visiting the backwaters in Poovar, 10 miles from the hotel.
—Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backwater
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backwater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backwater. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backwater
noun
back·wa·ter
ˈbak-ˌwȯt-ər
-ˌwät-
1
: water held or turned back from its course
2
: a backward place or condition
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