The difference between Backwards and Contrariwise

When used as adverbs, backwards means toward the back, whereas contrariwise means in the contrary or opposite way, order, or direction.


Backwards is also adjective with the meaning: oriented toward the back.

check bellow for the other definitions of Backwards and Contrariwise

  1. Backwards as an adjective:

    Oriented toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The battleship had three backwards guns at the stern, in addition to the primary complement''."

  2. Backwards as an adjective:

    Reversed.

    Examples:

    "The backwards lettering on emergency vehicles makes it possible to read in the rear-view mirror."

  3. Backwards as an adjective (derogatory):

    Behind current trends or technology.

    Examples:

    "Modern medicine regards the use of leeches as a backwards practice."

  4. Backwards as an adjective:

    Clumsy, inept, or inefficient, especially in learning.

    Examples:

    "He was a very backwards scholar, but he was a marvel on the football field."

  1. Backwards as an adverb:

    Toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The cabinet [[topple]]d over backwards."

    "Life is lived forwards, but understood backwards.''—Søren Kierkegaard"

  2. Backwards as an adverb:

    In the opposite direction to usual.

    Examples:

    "The clock did not work because the battery was inserted backwards."

  3. Backwards as an adverb:

    In a manner such that the back precedes the front.

    Examples:

    "The tour guide walked backwards while droning on to the bored seniors."

  1. Contrariwise as an adverb:

    in the contrary or opposite way, order, or direction

  2. Contrariwise as an adverb:

    on the other hand