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)
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Eichenberg was pleased to sign a one-year contract and to be able to continue his career with the team that drafted him, in a role that likely would include serving as the top backup at the three interior line positions.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The backup band includes more rock royalty such as Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats), John Stirratt (Wilco), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering), and composer/conductor Vijay Tellis-Nayak.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
The cops were rushing to assist a fellow officer, who requested backup after a prisoner inside the psych ward began resisting arrest, the sources said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Eichenberg was pleased to sign a one-year contract and to be able to continue his career with the team that drafted him, in a role that likely would include serving as the top backup at the three interior line positions.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The Heat was among the team aggressively pursuing Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline, but now Miami will need to pivot to its backup plan.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The backup band includes more rock royalty such as Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats), John Stirratt (Wilco), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering), and composer/conductor Vijay Tellis-Nayak.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Here, Segall abandons all instruments to concentrate on vocals, leaving his session players to gel into a real band.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The experience also includes a selection of finger sandwiches, including options like coronation Hmong chicken or traditional bánh mì, as well as pastries and cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a cheese and charcuterie platter.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The current law only allows the sale of homemade bread, jams, spices, honey, pickles, nuts, and other foods that do not need to be refrigerated.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
At 41, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion was in the midst of a once-unthinkable career comeback after undergoing knee replacement surgery on her right leg in 2024.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And a couple took their time weaving through the makeshift garden.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the internet shutdown, footage of many horrifying scenes began to emerge, including images of a makeshift morgue set up outside the Legal Medicine Organization (a state forensic institute) in Kahrizak, near Tehran, after the facility’s morgue overflowed with bodies.—
Hamid Kashani,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Expectations that the tariffs would drive inflation much higher, for instance — an eventuality that might actually have a genuine effect on the economy and therefore on market values — haven’t been borne out.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Bishop Ken Carter, the resident bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, said the ad was born out of a grassroots desire from congregants who saw what was happening in Charlotte and across the country and wanted to take a stand.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 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
-
Gruda’s performances have not been at a level that would entitle him to expect to be a regular starter (10 of 18 league appearances this season have been as a substitute).—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Zagorac was fired from substitute teaching jobs in Naperville District 203, Hinsdale District 181 and Schaumburg District 54 in 2005, after the districts realized their background checks did not extend beyond Illinois’ borders, according to the Naperville Sun.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
American officials are seeking to press for an end to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, curbs on ballistic missiles and a halt to support for proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The article outlines five key predictions for the future of proxy voting.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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