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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
These are a great backup for any leftover shoes that won’t fit in my closet's shelves.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Ferebee cares for his 82-year-old mother, who is on oxygen and has been buying backup power supplies.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Curiously, Jenkins is now projected to serve as a backup to Alonza Barnett III, who led James Madison to a 12-2 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
These are a great backup for any leftover shoes that won’t fit in my closet's shelves.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Instead, forward Nikola Jovic was used as the backup center during Adebayo’s first rest of the night.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Ferebee cares for his 82-year-old mother, who is on oxygen and has been buying backup power supplies.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
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
-
This category is a log jam for the widely influential acoustic and electric R&B approach of Dijon Duenas, who’s here for his work on Justin Bieber’s immense Swag and for his exemplary solo album Baby.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Starters include Classic Deviled Eggs or Fried Pickles with buttermilk dressing, followed by entrée choices like the Shed Burger—topped with American and Swiss cheese, onion jam, lettuce, tomato and Shed Sauce—or a Chicken Sandwich with habanero honey and pickles.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lee is coming off a knee replacement, which means the former USDHS and UC San Diego standout may soon be kicking the ball around with her team.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In this sense, it can be thought of as less of a replacement for things like air conditioning, but rather a cooling buffer or kind of capacitor.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The makeshift detention center, surrounded by chain-link fences, had detainees sleeping on brown bunk beds under bright, perpetual fluorescent lights.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Health concerns Vendors serving food and drinks from carts and makeshift restaurants have sprouted along some of the city’s main thoroughfares, raising public health and local business concerns.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the start of the season, Sophie — who was born out of an illegitimate relationship between her father, Lord Penwood, and her mother, his maid and mistress — is living with and working for Lady Araminta (Katie Leung), her father's widow.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Materia Futura launched last year as a design research project born out of Alessia Pasquini and Beatriz Sandini’s curiosity in biomaterials and the need to eliminate fossil fuel plastics.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Do not use warm or hot water since this can actually cause the blood to coagulate.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2026
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The honey was too thick and caused the sauce to kind of coagulate.—
Brittany Loggins,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
That is the joint-highest number of goals scored by substitutes for a team in the division over the period with… Hurzeler’s Brighton.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
When CEOs treat financial advice as a substitute for judgment, leadership starts to erode, decisions slow down, and conviction weakens.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Unchecked proxy effects quietly reshape who continues through the recruiting process.—
Sheila Callaham,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Paramount also has filed proxy materials to ask Warner shareholders to reject the Netflix deal at an upcoming stockholder meeting.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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