back (up) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of back (up)next
1
as in to testify (to)

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2
as in to gel

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backup

2 of 3

noun

ˈbak-ˌəp How to pronounce backup (audio)
1
as in jam
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement there was the inevitable backup of travelers trying to pass through airport security

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2
as in replacement
a person or thing that takes the place of another you didn't get the lead position, but you can be the backup to the chosen singer

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backup

3 of 3

adjective

as in makeshift

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of back (up)
Noun
Wilson was eventually demoted, making Winston the primary backup. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 This First Alert model plugs into a standard outlet and sounds an 85-decibel alarm if elevated CO levels are detected, while a battery backup keeps it monitoring even during a power outage. — Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Urban was married to Kidman, and Lopez was dating her backup dancer, Casper Smart. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 11 Oct. 2026 Instead, third-string running back Evan Pryor, on the field because backup Duke Clark suffered an ankle injury minutes earlier, got caught up 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
  1. gel
  2. jam
  3. replacement
  4. makeshift
  5. coagulate
  6. substitute
  7. proxy
  8. harden
Verb
  • First, Redick offered a shady response about the team gelling after superstar LeBron James departed.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This unit has plenty of opportunities to gel by November, when the schedule softens a bit before a potential playoff push.
    — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of gel
Noun
  • The Guardians had a runner on first with one out in the third when second baseman Ben Williamson robbed DeLauter of a hit that prevented a first-and-third jam.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Besides her own headlining set, karaoke queen Clarkson is sure to be asked to stick around for the festival’s traditional closing night jam of all-1990s covers.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of jam
Noun
  • That includes construction, improvement, maintenance, repair and replacement of streets and sidewalks, as well as drainage, sewers and other related infrastructure.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The infrastructure work to create the tunnel, including road and drainage replacement, life safety systems and adding the structural elements, does not allow for separate lane closures, according to project information.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of replacement
Adjective
  • The claims were made by four inmates who apparently inhabit the same unit as the Grammy-winner, including one who cooked for Combs on makeshift heating elements, offering up dishes like curry chicken, pizza and empanadas.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Not far away, armed men had been occupying makeshift barricades, blocking roads and turning some drivers away.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Verb
  • These high-acidity juices can cause whey protein powder to coagulate and curdle.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Reciprocal male-on-male mounting among corpse-eating burying beetles increases with heat stress, and chronic heat stress coagulates the blood of Holstein Friesian cattle.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of coagulate
Noun
  • Fight to Unite might appear to be a substitute for the missing Las Vegas festival, but bringing Punk Rock Bowling to Los Angeles has been discussed for years.
    — Dick Slaughter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There is no substitute for the human connection, human thought, human nuance.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Adjective
  • Rivalries between these countries manifest in proxy struggles.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The conflict has also turned into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the United States long involved on the periphery, providing intelligence assistance to the kingdom.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of proxy
Verb
  • The gossip hardens into something more official, as fellow teachers and school authorities start to treat her personal life as a disciplinary matter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Governments around the world are hardening their AI stances as more agentic hacks breach critical systems.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of harden

Browse Nearby Words

backtracks
back (up)
backup
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Cite this Entry

“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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