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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in makeshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Either that or depend on a backup who is a backup for a reason such as Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen in 2024.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Ware, forward Nikola Jovic again filled in as the Heat’s backup center when Adebayo was on the bench.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Stidham has spent his entire pro career as a backup, however, first with the Patriots, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2019, then with Josh McDaniels’ Las Vegas Raiders, who acquired him before the 2022 season.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Either that or depend on a backup who is a backup for a reason such as Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen in 2024.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
If Cloudflare pulls its support, the IOC likely has a backup plan.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Without Ware, forward Nikola Jovic again filled in as the Heat’s backup center when Adebayo was on the bench.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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There was no major incident that caused a rift between Kelly Osbourne and her older sister Aimee, the two simply just don't gel.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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It’s been a great opportunity for the team to gel in a live garage environment, verify car systems and resolve any initial issues.—
Bruce Martin,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Eating well is a huge feature—from the perfect crepes, homemade jams and market fruit of breakfast to Dyades locavore menu, noted in the Michelin guide, which makes the herbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden shine.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Thinking in workflows can help you to identify critical flaws in the process, like that redundant approval step that tends to log-jam projects.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The recruitment of a permanent replacement for Mitchell is just beginning and may take much of 2026 to complete.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The company now provides hydro jetting, sewer repair and replacement, trenchless repairs, water damage cleanup services, and water filtration and softening systems.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Their dreams stay dreams, while this team, the best in the world, celebrates on a makeshift stage living out a fantasy.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
But for those of us that have already been doing our own makeshift versions of these treats, these new snacks are a match made in heaven.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The annual gathering at King’s North Miami home is now in its 24th year and was born out of her desire to change the culture surrounding the county’s Teacher of the Year prize.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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Speaking to The Verge, Adobe’s vice president of genAI new business ventures Hannah Elsakr explained that Firefly Foundry was borne out of the company’s previous work with large companies using Firefly’s older, less customizable models.—
Charles Pulliam-Moore,
The Verge,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The honey was too thick and caused the sauce to kind of coagulate.—
Brittany Loggins,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Dec. 2025
-
For many of the protesters, a general sense of lawlessness – not supported by official crime figures for England and Wales, which broadly show a decrease over the past decade – had coagulated into a specific fear of migrants.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But indulging in a few slices or sprinkles—rather than using a block as a substitute for a protein bar or shake—is the smarter way to go.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
20 Jan. 2026
-
In China, government control substitutes for independent board governance.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
How Phantom Shuttle steals your data Socket researchers say Phantom Shuttle routes all your web traffic through proxy servers controlled by the attacker.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Jan. 2026
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Critics say the military is trying to create a parliament dominated by the military's proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).—
Michael Sullivan,
NPR,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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