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)
Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
Minchey was the backup to CJ Carr this past season after losing a training camp battle.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The Eagles beat the 49ers 31-7 after quarterback Brock Purdy and backup quarterback Josh Johnson suffered injuries.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Two of Moore's backups, Austin Novosad and Luke Moga, have entered the transfer portal.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
Minchey was the backup to CJ Carr this past season after losing a training camp battle.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
According to backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, Friday meetings also double as a stage for lighter moments.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The Eagles beat the 49ers 31-7 after quarterback Brock Purdy and backup quarterback Josh Johnson suffered injuries.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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The offensive line began to gel and the team started to give rookie running back Woody Marks a majority of carries.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
-
These jams may also contain gelling agents for a firmer set.—
Francesca Giuliani Hoffman,
CNN Money,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In place of tomato sauce, pesto, or olive oil, use onion jam as your base.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
-
His father, who played in a party band, occasionally invited him to rehearsals, where Kwasniewski-Kelvin, then 12, would solo over the group’s blues and pop jams.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The majority of Palestinians live in makeshift tents since their homes were reduced to rubble during the war.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Above the presidential portraits is gold lettering that matches the new Rose Garden sign, titling the makeshift exhibit.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
They're born out of necessity—and a deep desire to not waste food.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
State apartment and Realtors associations have come out against the bill along with the National Rental Home Council, which argued the measure was seeking to legislate an issue that wasn’t borne out in actual statistics.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 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
-
Use substitutes like wash cloths and knitted pieces over the mop head.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
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Bakwa had an impressive cameo as a substitute against Everton recently, but lacked the same drive against the Championship club last night.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
10 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 20 Jan. 2026.
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