1
as in to testify (to)
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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as in makeshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Hammond had a great year as Behren Morton's backup, throwing for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in five games before his injury.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The fleet buildup is designed to prevent such single points of failure, and the new bill contains language that would require NOAA to have backup aircraft on hand for each mission.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Those supporting the three appellants — Dean Getz, Tara McCann and El Dorado Hills Community Services District Director Gary Kinghorn — expressed concerns about traffic on Appian Way, saying backups occur during busy hours.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Hammond had a great year as Behren Morton's backup, throwing for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in five games before his injury.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
Plot to rob a military ammunition plant Officials said the group discussed a backup plan to steal military ordnance after determining that its members lacked the expertise needed to manufacture homemade explosives.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The fleet buildup is designed to prevent such single points of failure, and the new bill contains language that would require NOAA to have backup aircraft on hand for each mission.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
The market was born out of necessity, Tina Lee explained, as her mother became weary of shopping at so many stores — one for produce, one for meat, one for seafood, one for baked goods and so on — for her family.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
Shelley’s famous Gothic horror novel was born out of those sessions.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Any apprehensions about whether a first-time collaboration between Hartford’s two largest self-producing theaters — Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford — could gel smoothly enough to grasp all the nuances of this challenging work are dispelled immediately by the opening number.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
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Formed in London in 1981, Culture Club’s first batch of songs came easily thanks to how well the members gelled, as Moss recalls in the clip from Boy George & Culture Club.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The visitors eventually loaded the bases in that inning, but Luzardo retired Xavier Edwards to escape the jam.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Jelly or jam contributes simple sugars that cause a faster spike in blood sugar.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Assistant Leif Gunnar Smerud was named interim coach while the team searches for Straus’ replacement.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
In their place, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente somewhat bafflingly lined up Barcelona duo Ferrán Torres and Gavi as their replacements.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Marc Moore and his neighbors along the Long Beach Peninsula have spent night after recent night watching the water spill over makeshift sand berms and wood panels put up to try to hold the ocean’s force back.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
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Shortly after, cinematographer Pat Scola’s overhead view of a makeshift cemetery is a stunner.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Raw milk is treated with heat, acid, or enzymes to coagulate it into two distinct substances: curds, which become cheese, and whey, which was, at least until recently, the cheesemaking process’s unlovely by-product.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
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As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Veteran substitute Arnautovic appeared to have restored Austria’s lead in the 67th minute from a goalmouth scramble, but that was ruled out as Stefan Posch handled in the area.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In 2023, Manchester United was losing by a goal to Brentford when McTominay was sent on as an attacking-midfield substitute, and scored both a late equalizer and a winner in the final minutes.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Vice President Vance told CNN that this means Iran will stop funding proxy forces and destabilizing the region; Tehran might well interpret that differently.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
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Vance explained that foreign investment and economic opportunities would remain restricted unless Iran ends support for proxy groups and abandons efforts to rebuild its nuclear program.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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