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
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Thaircamper includes a hand pump for use as a backup and for more gradually fine-tuning pressure.
—New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, backup officers and emergency responders arrived and provided aid to Brown.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Even as a backup, somehow Geno could help get a coach fired.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
Thaircamper includes a hand pump for use as a backup and for more gradually fine-tuning pressure.
—New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Sound coming from both chillers and backup generators has been making life difficult for those living near the CyrusOne data center at the corner of Eola and Diehl roads on Aurora’s far East Side near Interstate 88, these homeowners have said.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Ultimately, backup officers and emergency responders arrived and provided aid to Brown.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
If something isn’t exactly gelling, this is the stage to mix it up in makeup, hair, costumes, whatever needs to be fixed.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His dark brunette hair was neatly gelled to the side.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As Ever was launched 11 months ago, with an inaugural collection of teas, jam, honey and baking mixes.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Often served with just butter and jam, these sweet buns can also be used as sandwich buns for an egg sandwich at breakfast the next morning.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their replacements should come via the draft, or Mafe and Ebiktie in Chaisson's case.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In a philosophical shift away from high school recruits and toward the portal, the Longhorns signed transfers in Memphis kicker Gianni Spetic, Florida State punter Mac Chiumento and New Mexico long snapper Trey DuBuc as the replacements.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cars line up at all hours, hoods serving as makeshift tables while drivers unwrap sandwiches still warm from the press.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Three makeshift camps have been closed as a result of people finding housing, including a more permanent Fountain Square camp that garnered media coverage after residents called attention to growing piles of trash and reports of animal abuse.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Ultimately, blood testing bore out her suspicions.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
6 Mar. 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
-
The honey was too thick and caused the sauce to kind of coagulate.—
Brittany Loggins,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps cultural certainty is a poor substitute for epidemiology.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Donating blood is one of the of the most powerful ways to give back to the community—there is no substitute for this lifesaving gift and every donation can help save multiple lives.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Russia is in the rare club of countries that maintains friendly relations with Tehran, which has faced years of isolation over its nuclear program and its support of proxy groups that have wreaked havoc in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.—
Seung Min Kim,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Ideological opposition turned to proxy confrontation through Iran's support for Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, and for Hezbollah, which fought Israel during its long occupation of southern Lebanon.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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