1
as in to testify (to)
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
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as in makeshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Eric Herzog, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The question is — who’s willing to be a backup behind Bidunga?
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
But in June of that year, someone broke into Adebimpe’s garage and stole his laptop, 15 years of hard drives and all of his backups.
—Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
On the other hand, the Sky don’t have a true backup at the 4 position for when Angel Reese isn’t on the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
This is a step that helps advance your infrastructure from just being for backup to now being optimized for restore.
—Eric Herzog, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The question is — who’s willing to be a backup behind Bidunga?
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
But in June of that year, someone broke into Adebimpe’s garage and stole his laptop, 15 years of hard drives and all of his backups.
—Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
On the other hand, the Sky don’t have a true backup at the 4 position for when Angel Reese isn’t on the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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Issues with lip sync and the occasional dialogue choice that doesn’t gel together with the current conversations, reiterating something as brand new when characters have already acknowledged it, are a common occurrence.—
Diego Argüello,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
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That’s a reasonable enough line for a low-budget spy thriller but doesn’t gel with the guerilla style Burger wanted to direct.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The new Ramona Grange Growers Exchange at 215 Seventh St. attracted eight vendors who sold produce, sourdough bread, homemade jams, honey and other assorted items.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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Finish and Store Transfer jam to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to 1 month.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The report detailed Hackman’s declining heart health, including the congestive heart failure, an aortic heart valve replacement and an irregular heartbeat.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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The money was to help pay for overdue maintenance or replacement of harbor facilities such as docks, gangways, gates, pilings, rip-rap and jetties.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Haiti, the first free Black republic born out of a successful slave revolt, spent more than a century repaying that debt through French and American banks, crippling its economy for generations.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
22 Apr. 2025
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As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis in 2012 notably criticized priests who refused to baptize children born out of wedlock.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
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But there was another possible explanation the company didn’t discuss: Blood could coagulate inside the filter if the dialysis machine’s flow rate was set too low.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After watching Lemina flounder as a substitute in the 3-0 home loss against Nottingham Forest on January 6 — his first appearance for the new coach after injury — Pereira removed him from his first-team plans.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Jonathan Rodriguez made his season debut for the Timbers as a second-half substitute.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And then, as if he’s already relived the moment in question and arrived at the same, grim decision, Joel’s expression hardens.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Apr. 2025
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Farmers say their forebears initially enjoyed super yields, but the soil has hardened over time, and yields have plummeted, leading to more chemical use.—
Brooke Roberts-Islam,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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If devices are requested at odd times or to alternate addresses, investigate further.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Rogers is 6-4, 312 pounds and was a captain in his final season with the Red Raiders while making alternate starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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