back (up) 1 of 3

verb

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

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2
as in to gel

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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

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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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backup

3 of 3

adjective

as in makeshift

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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
In addition, the intricate designs on the dress Diana wore were hand-embroidered by Elizabeth, whereas the fabric for the backup was ready-made. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 Workers isolated the affected system, restored a backup and restarted the plant in about 90 minutes, Mayor Nate George confirmed to CBS News. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Adjective
Right tackle Austin Jackson was seen missing team reps in the middle of practice, as backup swing tackle Charlie Heck came in for him. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 The former Washington Commanders starter is competing for the backup job behind Dak Prescott in what head coach Brian Schottenheimer declared an open competition, though Howell has thrown just 14 passes over the past two seasons. — Nick Harris. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 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
  • Whether topped with butter and jam, layered with peanut butter, crowned with avocado and eggs or transformed into a hearty breakfast sandwich, this humble bread has become a staple in kitchens across the country.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While the traditional Swedish version, called a prinsesstårta, typically features a layer of raspberry jam and a bright green marzipan coating, Sant Ambroeus’ iteration is respectfully remixed for a more metropolitan crowd.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of jam
Noun
  • That could mean returning replacement shares or paying their current value, including dividends and other distributions that would have accrued.
    — Mark Lewyn, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026
  • After losing one young defensive tackle for the season, the Miami Dolphins quickly got to work on finding a replacement.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of replacement
Adjective
  • This jumbled, makeshift archive reassured her about her own perceptions.
    — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For a time, a stray tiniest doll served as the Christ Child in a makeshift crèche.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 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
  • Their dense texture makes oyster mushrooms a preferred meat substitute in many dishes.
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Now that it's disappeared from store shelves, longtime devotees have launched a petition to bring it back, flooded social media with disappointment and searched for substitutes.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Adjective
  • And the Houthis, Iran’s Yemeni proxy terror group, attacked another Saudi ship in the Bab al-Mandeb this morning, their eighth strike on Saudi ships so far.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The attackers responded to those requests with a malicious proxy auto-configuration file.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of proxy
Verb
  • The thermometer scenario is about whether harvest volatility quietly hardens into harvest decline.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As offshore wind expands globally, finding cost-effective ways to harden infrastructure in seismic zones is vital.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Definition of harden

Browse Nearby Words

backtracks
back (up)
backup
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Cite this Entry

“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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