Home › Words › B › backstabbackstab/ˈbækˌstæb/backstab means an act of backstabbing.Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, backstab ranks #2,614 of 42,762 for Qualifying.backstab is pronounced /ˈbækˌstæb/.EtymologyFrom back + stab.nounAn act of backstabbing.verbTo attack someone (especially verbally) unfairly in a deceitful, underhand, or treacherous manner, especially when they're not present in the place or situation that it happens.Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.backstabbing 93% match — The act of one who backstabs. vs backstab →backstabbee 81% match — One who has been backstabbed. vs backstab →backstabber 76% match — A traitor or hypocrite, such as a co-worker or friend assumed trustworthy but who figuratively attacks when one's back is turned. vs backstab →backstabby 76% match — characteristic of deceit and treachery vs backstab →knifing 68% match — An instance of stabbing with a knife. vs backstab →downstab 68% match — An instance of stabbing downward. vs backstab →staking 63% match — An act of stabbing with a stake. vs backstab →stabwound 61% match — A wound caused by stabbing. vs backstab →