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)
William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The Giants could complement a glove-first catcher like Bailey with a bat-centric backup.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
Former Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales said that in addition to the need for fiscal responsibility, Cal OES needs to ensure that there is a backup plan in the event that the project runs into future challenges.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
The state is now in the process of redesigning a new system that will rely on two statewide 911 providers, one to act as a primary provider and another as backup.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The Giants could complement a glove-first catcher like Bailey with a bat-centric backup.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
And Malachi Smith, the backup point guard who was meant to fill somewhat of a Hassan Diarra role, has played less than eight minutes in each of the last three outings.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
Former Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales said that in addition to the need for fiscal responsibility, Cal OES needs to ensure that there is a backup plan in the event that the project runs into future challenges.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
If something isn’t exactly gelling, this is the stage to mix it up in makeup, hair, costumes, whatever needs to be fixed.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His dark brunette hair was neatly gelled to the side.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grandma Syl’s flaky cream cheese pastry was shaped into tiny triangles framing sweet dollops of her homemade raspberry and apricot-pineapple jams.—
Betsy Andrews,
Saveur,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their berries are great for smoothies, jams, and sauces.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Approximately $70 million in replacement benefits have already been issued related to EBT losses.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The regular maintenance is more complex and includes oil changes, blade sharpening, and filter replacements.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While outreach workers will be hitting homeless encampments throughout the city, encouraging people to go to shelters during the storm, the city will not be tearing down the makeshift shanties the homeless have built before Sunday’s storm, Mamdani said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Across California, the number of people living in vehicles has surged in recent years, as soaring rents and a chronic housing shortage have pushed even full-time workers out of traditional homes and into makeshift ones on wheels.—
Jeffrey Kopp,Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His advanced numbers bear out his decline.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The latter Redfellow is targeting the seven Redfellows who stand in the way of the $28 billion family fortune that he and his late mother were denied after he was born out of wedlock.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 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
-
Station reserves the right to substitute prize of comparable value.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The city called in more than 5,000 substitutes Philadelphia switched to online learning Monday and Tuesday, while districts on Long Island and elsewhere in the New York suburbs canceled school again Tuesday.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The president has given the regime less than two weeks to come back with proposals on curbing its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxy militant groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed to include Iran's ballistic missile program and funding for its proxy forces in the region in the deal – conditions that experts say the Iranians are highly unlikely to accept.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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