The difference between Backwards and Rearward

When used as adverbs, backwards means toward the back, whereas rearward means toward the back or rear of something.

When used as adjectives, backwards means oriented toward the back, whereas rearward means toward the back or rear of something.

Rearward is also noun with the meaning: the part that comes last or is situated in the rear.

check bellow for the other definitions of Backwards and Rearward

Backwards as an adjective:

Oriented toward the back.

Examples:

"The battleship had three backwards guns at the stern, in addition to the primary complement''."
Backwards as an adjective:

Reversed.

Examples:

"The backwards lettering on emergency vehicles makes it possible to read in the rear-view mirror."
Backwards as an adjective (derogatory):

Behind current trends or technology.

Examples:

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

Backwards as an adverb:

Toward the back.

Examples:

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

"Life is lived forwards, but understood backwards.''—Søren Kierkegaard"
Backwards as an adverb:

In the opposite direction to usual.

Examples:

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

Rearward as a noun:

The part that comes last or is situated in the rear; conclusion; wind-up.
Rearward as a noun:

The last troop; the rear of an army; a rear guard.

Examples:

"rfquotek Shakespeare"

Rearward as an adjective:

Toward the back or rear of something.

Examples:

"The rearward seats of the bus were unpleasantly close to the toilet facilities."