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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to testify (to)
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Exchange customers in Maryland can expect to pay, on average, about 35% more next year, even with help from the state, which agreed to offer backup subsidies should the federal government's discounts expire at the end of this year.
—ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Several backups made an impact, particularly against the run.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Verb
If anything went wrong with the take, Stone says there was no backup plan.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Exchange customers in Maryland can expect to pay, on average, about 35% more next year, even with help from the state, which agreed to offer backup subsidies should the federal government's discounts expire at the end of this year.
—ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Wilson will be Tua Tagovailoa’s primary backup moving forward unless he’s given reason to change that.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Several backups made an impact, particularly against the run.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
Toronto had the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning, but Ohtani and the Dodgers were able to get out of the jam.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The berries, which birds also love, can be eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Several names have been floated as possible replacements for Kelly in Baton Rouge.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
After undergoing multiple hip surgeries, including a total replacement, his fiancée was largely absent.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
How would a manager with no top-flight experience get so many new players to gel quickly?—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Final thoughts Despite the late start, the new cast members gelled nicely with Carpenter tonight!—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As the latter stomped down the catwalk, Anok gave Gabbriette a makeshift haircut.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
-
On Saturday, the makeshift vessel of wooden planks on pontoons with a wooden rudder, beached in the choppy surf off the Martin County island, prompting the sheriff’s office to issue a statement on social media.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In Normal, Odenkirk plays an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Do not take this as a substitute for sitting down with someone in a white coat to tell you what’s what.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That pivot was also born out of consumer insights, such as shoppers in the mass market are looking for more premium solutions.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Idaho could be in for more rain and snow than normal in late 2025 and early 2026, if the Climate Prediction Center outlook bears out.—
Sara Schilling,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers tasted the first trials of ant yogurt, where the milk had begun to coagulate and acidify, which are signs of early yogurt fermentation.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
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Tofu is more minimally processed and made from unfermented, coagulated soy milk.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At a Congressional hearing on proxy advisors earlier this year, Rose said that more than 100 institutional investors voted in almost total lockstep with ISS or Glass Lewis recommendations in 2020.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Musk, in a separate X post on Wednesday, also called into question the role of proxy advisory firms generally.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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