1
as in to testify (to)
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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)
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The responding officer recognized Poirier from his professional fighting career and requested backup because of what the report described as his combative behavior.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
All apps in the Norton product line, starting with the standalone antivirus, include a backup system.
—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
As soon as a suspicious file encryption is detected, the system instantly executes a three-tier defense protocol that locks target folders, quarantines relevant snapshots before sending instant alerts and then shifting backup from reactive storage to proactive threat immunity.
—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The responding officer recognized Poirier from his professional fighting career and requested backup because of what the report described as his combative behavior.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Adjective
The Browns will either have four or five new starting offensive linemen, haven’t yet settled on a starting quarterback and figure to also decide backup roles at multiple spots during training camp and preseason competition.
—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
All apps in the Norton product line, starting with the standalone antivirus, include a backup system.
—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Their fears are borne out by statistics.
-
Many nonprofits were born out of pain or deep conviction.
Verb
-
Any apprehensions about whether a first-time collaboration between Hartford’s two largest self-producing theaters — Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford — could gel smoothly enough to grasp all the nuances of this challenging work are dispelled immediately by the opening number.
-
Right wing had long been a problem position, with No 10s such as Xavi Simons often being forced wide to plug a hole, or orthodox wingers failing to gel with the uber-attacking full-back Denzel Dumfries.
Noun
-
In the background, the soft morning sunlight casts a warm glow, illuminating a spread of orange juice, tea, and a baguette sandwich with butter and jam.
-
Stick to whole grapes instead of grape juice, raisins, or jams, as these have more sugar and fewer nutritional benefits.
Noun
-
Assistant Leif Gunnar Smerud was named interim coach while the team searches for Straus’ replacement.
-
In their place, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente somewhat bafflingly lined up Barcelona duo Ferrán Torres and Gavi as their replacements.
Adjective
-
The parking lot of a pharmacy turned into a makeshift shelter with tarps, hammocks and tents.
-
People turned the parking lot of a pharmacy into makeshift shelter by setting up tarps, hammocks and tents.
Verb
-
Raw milk is treated with heat, acid, or enzymes to coagulate it into two distinct substances: curds, which become cheese, and whey, which was, at least until recently, the cheesemaking process’s unlovely by-product.
-
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.
Noun
-
Koulibaly misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to keep out substitute Marcus Pedersen’s rasping shot to give Norway the lead close to halftime.
-
Goldman Sachs recently highlighted this complexity by describing AI as both a complement and a substitute for labor depending upon the nature of the work involved.
Adjective
-
Vice President Vance told CNN that this means Iran will stop funding proxy forces and destabilizing the region; Tehran might well interpret that differently.
-
Vance explained that foreign investment and economic opportunities would remain restricted unless Iran ends support for proxy groups and abandons efforts to rebuild its nuclear program.
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
