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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to testify (to)
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025
Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James
Notes: The injury absences of Gonzalez and Davis for most of training camp have allowed the young backups to flourish, particularly James, a smaller corner with a feisty playing style and some decent ball skills.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
As much as the points excited New England’s home crowd on a night that began with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Tom Brady, in came with the caveat that most of the Patriots’ offensive fireworks were against the Commanders’ backups.
—Kyle Hightower, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
Fermin, the primary backup to Royals icon Salvador Perez, has supplied a .648 OPS and 0.4 fWAR in 67 games this season.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Adjective
Allen is a moderately talented backup who Shanahan trusted to run the offense as designed.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025
Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, DJ James
Notes: The injury absences of Gonzalez and Davis for most of training camp have allowed the young backups to flourish, particularly James, a smaller corner with a feisty playing style and some decent ball skills.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
As much as the points excited New England’s home crowd on a night that began with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Tom Brady, in came with the caveat that most of the Patriots’ offensive fireworks were against the Commanders’ backups.
—Kyle Hightower, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
Fermin, the primary backup to Royals icon Salvador Perez, has supplied a .648 OPS and 0.4 fWAR in 67 games this season.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
The sit-down was so named for the Japanese charcoal grill used in many courses, which included Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, edible floral arrangements of microgreens and crackling chicken-skin cones filled with foie gras and cloudberry jam.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
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Its 6 fillings include hazelnut spread, pastry cream, pistachio spread, dark chocolate, apricot jam and mixed berry jam.—
Gary Stern,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe profile as direct replacements for Cunha and Ait-Nouri, and Fer Lopez is a talented player too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Perfect Size and Burn Time: At a standard size, the candle provides ample burn time to keep the Halloween spirit glowing throughout the season without the hassle of frequent replacements.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her lips were dressed in pink gloss and her eyebrows were gelled away from her eyes.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
30 July 2025
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The character is described as a thrill-seeker and secret-keeper who may run into trouble gelling with the team's tight dynamics.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
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,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Keep in mind that supplements are not a substitute for healthy eating, and more is not always better.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
From the early days of Pluto TV — born out of a tiny West Hollywood warehouse (that is now, in true LA fashion, a cannabis dispensary) — to the incredible launch and scale of Paramount+, this ride has been nothing short of extraordinary.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
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It was born out of growth in digital orders, which now make up more than 30% of sales, and feedback from baristas.—
Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But the mood in Israel hardened dramatically when, on July 31, Hamas released a video of the skeletal 21-year-old Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, weeping and in pain.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Coconut oil will harden when cold, leaving you with solid chocolate candy for later.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Olympic alternate Tiana Sumanasekera delivered another strong beam routine on her signature event, hitting her triple series for a 13.800.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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In an alternate universe, the leading roles of Rose and Jack in 1997's Titanic might not have been Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.—
Diana Pearl,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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