going back to a worse or less developed state: The changes that have been introduced are being seen as a step backwards. Want to learn more?

What does a backward step mean?

phrase. or a step backward. DEFINITIONS1. an action that does not bring progress, but makes the situation as bad as it was in the past. By cutting expenditure on health care, I feel we are taking a backward step to the bad old days.

Is it forward or backward?

The preferred form is without the -s in American English, with it in British English. The same is true for other directional words, such as upward, downward, forward, and backward, as well as afterward. The use of afterwards and backwards as adverbs is neither rare nor incorrect.