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
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Tony East, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, Earle was the backup quarterback for then-UNT coach Seth Littrell, and appeared in four games.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Federal prosecutors could also bring parallel charges, which would provide a backup if state-level charges encounter issues.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Verb
With rebounding rising in importance during the Pacers playoff series against the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, Bradley was promoted to being the backup five, taking some minutes from Thomas Bryant.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, Earle was the backup quarterback for then-UNT coach Seth Littrell, and appeared in four games.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Bud Dupree and Kyle Kennard were listed as Mack’s backups on the Chargers’ depth charts.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Federal prosecutors could also bring parallel charges, which would provide a backup if state-level charges encounter issues.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
If fries aren’t your jam, all four meat options — chicken, lamb, steak and falafel — are available as a standard gyro wrapped in a pita bread or as a platter with rice.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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That roster includes dishes like foie gras truffle with charred onion jam and a house croissant; a wild boar belly and antelope with pistachio, fermented harissa, and yogurt; and an Asian pear sorbet with aloe sabayon and ginger tapioca.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sources tell Deadline that there will be no replacement judge in Inaba’s place, meaning the Season 34 contestants will only hear from judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough tonight.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
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Those lobbying for a cut will have a friendly face at the table in the form of Stephen Miran, a White House advisor who will temporarily sit on the FOMC as a replacement for governor Adriana Kugler.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the same way Everton remain a complicated work in progress on the pitch — still learning to gel nine new signings in a squad that boasted the lowest budget in the WSL last season — the Goodison project remains a work in progress, a symbol of an exciting but ultimately unknown future.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The top half of her hair was then teased and gelled in a pompadour leaning on the left side of her head.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In six months, the site has grown from 600 people fleeing gang attacks in nearby Delmas 30 to 5,000 people from all over the capital, sheltering in packed government offices and makeshift shacks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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When the comics got on the makeshift stage, hardly anyone was even looking at us.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The last 11 players on the pitch go into the huddle; the substitutes are not involved, making the circle smaller and ensuring players can hear.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Sacramento River acted as a substitute for the Mississippi River.—
John Turton,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Calculations, and later (in the 1950s), experiments, borne out the fact that nuclear physics supported Hoyle’s position, not Gamow’s.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
-
That instinct is born out in research.—
Kate Ruder,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The basketball gods have handed us an opportunity — a chance to stir up a rivalry that has been sitting cold and coagulating on the back burner for far too long.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Many disclosures still rely on proxy data, such as industry averages, which can result in deviations of 30-40% or more from real values.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The board included that recommendation in pre-proxy materials prior to the SEC’s issuance of its letter.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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