Backwater

Alternative forms

 * back water
 * back-water

Noun

 * 1) The water held back by a dam or other obstruction
 * 2)  A remote place; somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc.
 * 3) A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water

Synonyms

 * jerkwater town, one-horse town, Podunk
 * See [[Thesaurus:remote place

Verb

 * 1) To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
 * 2)  To vacillate on a long-held position.

Thesaurus
abjure, arrest, back, back away, back down, back off, back out, back stream, back up, backcountry, backflow, backpedal, backtrack, backtrail, backwash, backwoods, boondocks, brake, bush, check, climb down, clip the wings, countercurrent, counterflow, counterflux, countermarch, crawfish out, cry off, curb, decelerate, delay, deny, detain, disavow, disclaim, disown, dodge, draw rein, duck, ease off, ease up, eat crow, eat humble pie, eddy, elude, evade, forswear, get around, go astern, go into reverse, gulf, gurge, hinterland, hold back, hold in check, hold up, impede, keep back, let down, let up, lose ground, lose momentum, lose speed, maelstrom, make sternway, moderate, obstruct, recant, reef, refluence, reflux, regurgitation, rein in, relax, renege, renounce, repudiate, resile, retard, retract, reverse, revoke, set back, shirk, sidestep, slack off, slack up, slacken, slow, slow down, slow up, stay, sticks, swallow, swirl, take back, take in sail, throttle down, twirl, unsay, up-country, vortex, welsh, whirl, whirlpool, withdraw