backwardness

/ˈbækwərdnəs/
noun
  1. The state of being slow to develop or progress, especially in technology, education, or society.
    • Efforts were made to overcome the educational backwardness in rural areas.
    • The region's economic backwardness was due to a lack of investment in infrastructure.
    • The country's technological backwardness made it difficult to compete globally.
  2. The quality of being shy, hesitant, or lacking confidence in social situations.
    • She overcame her social backwardness by joining a drama club.
    • His backwardness in speaking up during meetings held back his career.
    • The child's backwardness around strangers slowly faded as she made friends.
What does "backwardness" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean