back (up) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of back (up)next
1
as in to testify (to)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to gel

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

backup

2 of 3

noun

ˈbak-ˌəp How to pronounce backup (audio)
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

backup

3 of 3

adjective

as in makeshift

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of back (up)
Noun
With starting catcher Will Smith sidelined indefinitely because of a neck injury, Alfonzo has served as the backup to Dalton Rushing for the last two weeks. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 But the real star of her segment were her adorable backup dancers, the Ugandan dance troupe Ghetto Kids, who grinned throughout the number. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Adjective
One of the biggest criticisms is that JAM Software will not provide backup installation files or license keys to customers with unsupported licenses. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 Satellite internet can reach rural homes, farms, ships, planes, emergency teams and businesses that need backup connectivity. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
  1. gel
  2. jam
  3. replacement
  4. makeshift
  5. coagulate
  6. substitute
  7. proxy
  8. harden
Verb
  • Both have had time to gel as a squad, and both have managers who know how to get over the line.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Here, her natural hair was styled in a sleek, avant-garde aesthetic that gelled her front layer in a sharp wave over her forehead.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
Definition of gel
Noun
  • Dallas is in a difficult salary-cap jam — sitting a little more than $1 million over the limit after this signing — and getting Robertson signed to a long-term commitment would have meant a higher cap hit and cuts elsewhere.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Mederos, a right-hander, came on with two outs and the tying run on third and got out of that jam.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of jam
Noun
  • Those close to Villa say Rogers was worth 14 goals a season, so sourcing a replacement was critical.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The Panthers had already moved to protect themselves on the left side, signing veteran tackle Rasheed Walker in March as a potential replacement for Ekwonu.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of replacement
Adjective
  • Balloons, a Colombian soccer jersey, dozens of flowers and handwritten notes – some with expletives; others, crayon drawings from children – decorated the makeshift memorial at the intersection of Hill and Pool streets.
    — Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
  • Authorities said the makeshift incendiary device was made with fireworks and a flammable liquid.
    — Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026
Definition of makeshift
Verb
  • As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
  • If an egg cracks during boiling, vinegar can help the egg white coagulate faster, preventing it from leaking into the water.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of coagulate
Noun
  • Elgersma, a 22-year-old midfielder who starred at Redlands High, entered his second MLS match as a late substitute and ruined Roman Bürki’s clean sheet.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Moreover, topping up on certain vitamins is no substitute for a healthy, balanced diet.
    — Cat Rainsford, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Definition of substitute
Adjective
  • At the same time, one of Iran's proxy terror groups, called the Houthis, is trying to ratchet things up by imposing a Red Sea blockade.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • These situations often involve activist campaigns, proxy contests, and hostile takeovers, where each move can shape the future of an entire company.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of proxy
Verb
  • As many Americans have soured on the country in the wake of its brutal campaign in Gaza, Maher’s views have only hardened.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026
  • This is when end-to-end transactions start to take real shape, as collaboration standards harden, legal frameworks get worked out and enterprises rebuild their systems for agents instead of humans.
    — Nirmal Mukhi, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of harden

Browse Nearby Words

backtracks
back (up)
backup
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All