1
as in to testify (to)
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in makeshift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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)
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) — intended as a backup to VAERS — is virtually unusable for serious research.
—Bonny Chu , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
The Panthers didn’t select an offensive tackle in the draft and both of their main backups, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman, are on contracts that expire next year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Depth-chart impact Sanders will likely begin as a rotational defensive tackle within their scheme and the primary backup to 33-year-old starter DaQuan Jones.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
On Robust Earnings Reports—As Microsoft Reclaims Crown As World’s Largest Company
Unlike Microsoft, which pushes users to delete passwords as an account vulnerability if kept alongside passkeys, Google is keeping passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) as a backup.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) — intended as a backup to VAERS — is virtually unusable for serious research.
—Bonny Chu , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
The Panthers didn’t select an offensive tackle in the draft and both of their main backups, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman, are on contracts that expire next year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Depth-chart impact Sanders will likely begin as a rotational defensive tackle within their scheme and the primary backup to 33-year-old starter DaQuan Jones.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Jade and Naomi gelled perfectly in a match literally tailored to Jade’s strengths.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Issues with lip sync and the occasional dialogue choice that doesn’t gel together with the current conversations, reiterating something as brand new when characters have already acknowledged it, are a common occurrence.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
They can also be added to fruit salads, smoothies, or jams.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
2 May 2025
-
Have a Dance Party Clear the furniture, cue up a playlist with all of Mom's favorite hits (and a few silly, kid-friendly jams), and let loose.—
Laura Broadwell,
Parents,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
His replacement was Joe Willock, a rangy, athletic midfielder who helps Newcastle find a different gear in a game where there is space to exploit.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The money was to help pay for overdue maintenance or replacement of harbor facilities such as docks, gangways, gates, pilings, rip-rap and jetties.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While that may not make sense given how the two teams played this season, it’s born out of each team’s pedigree.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
This was born out of a need to stay calm and focused when things got intense in business, like during tough negotiations or important launches.—
Vipin Thomas,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But there was another possible explanation the company didn’t discuss: Blood could coagulate inside the filter if the dialysis machine’s flow rate was set too low.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Initially, his desire to field both relegated Fernandez to the substitutes’ bench.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
The information provided by Diversified, LLC should not be a substitute for consulting a qualified tax advisor, accountant, or other professional concerning the application of tax law or an individual tax situation.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
These were also the years when Twain’s contradictions began to harden into gleaming marble.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Dirt and sweat can dry and harden your gloves and soil the inside, defeating their purpose of protecting your hands.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While my heart will forever yearn for an alternate reality where Bobby Nash is alive and well, my head knows that Peter Krause‘s beloved 9-1-1 character is indeed six feet under.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
-
Granted, the top two finishers in that race are very good horses — and both are entered here, with winner Journalism the favorite and Baeza joining the field as an alternate — but proceed with caution.—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share