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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of back (up)
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Companies can reduce attrition by providing flexible work options, childcare subsidies, and backup care supports.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Achiuwa in play In its search for another veteran backup power rotation player, the Heat has expressed interest in power forward/center Precious Achiuwa, its 2020 first-round pick, but has not offered him a contract, an involved party said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Verb
According to the Jaguars' depth chart for Week 1, Hunter has been named a starting wide receiver but a backup cornerback.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Companies can reduce attrition by providing flexible work options, childcare subsidies, and backup care supports.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Bigsby will likely slot in behind Will Shipley, but could eventually become Barkley's primary backup over the course of the year.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Achiuwa in play In its search for another veteran backup power rotation player, the Heat has expressed interest in power forward/center Precious Achiuwa, its 2020 first-round pick, but has not offered him a contract, an involved party said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
Trailing by three runs, Cora gave the ball to left-hander Justin Wilson, who struck out three straight Diamondbacks to escape the jam and keep his team in the game.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Our Cal-Italia pizza is a white pizza with fig jam, aged balsamic and Prosciutto di Parma.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, it wasn't positioned as a replacement for the Plus, but as the company exploring a new design trend.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
If White is recalled, a temporary replacement will be appointed by either county legislators or a judge until voters can elect a new county executive in November 2026.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Roger Hodgson, a posh young guitarist whose post-private school rearing clashed with Davies' own humble origins, wound up gelling with Davies, and Supertramp was born — after a few months under the moniker of Daddy.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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Trotter reenergized the label with her quietly sensual designs in tune with Madame Carven’s fondness for simple constructions and clean lines — and her focus on textures would gel with Bottega Veneta and her predecessor’s work at the brand.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
It hadn't been fired and had a scope attached to it in a makeshift manner using electrical tape.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The latest scramble completed, punctuating the next step in searching for a program-defining victory, Kelvin Durham took both hands and turned them into makeshift ear muffs while sauntering to the sideline.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
So flavorful is Mendel that 3BR often uses it as a substitute for gin in cocktails made in the distillery tasting room.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thus far, these (and similar) ideas have failed to lead to a discovery of new physics, or to observations that bear out their predictions.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Every book is born out of love, every story told for a reason.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The basketball gods have handed us an opportunity — a chance to stir up a rivalry that has been sitting cold and coagulating on the back burner for far too long.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The race could become a proxy battle of sorts between the progressive Wu and the more moderate Kraft, who is also running as a Democrat.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
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In order to achieve that unprecedented thirteen-digit net worth, the Tesla CEO would need to massively increase the company’s market value over the next decade, according to the proxy statement released by Tesla.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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