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)
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2025
Furphy is a 6-9 guard whom the Pacers kept out of the G League.
2025 draft picks: 54th
Draft need: Myles Turner is a free agent, and Indiana spent the entire season trying to account for Achilles tendon injuries to backups James Wiseman (since traded) and Isaiah Jackson.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 June 2025
If Richardson isn’t available, the Colts may consider adding another veteran QB, especially with rookie Riley Leonard serving as the team’s backup.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Many startups are exploring ways to combine energy harvesting with battery backup to enhance tracking and monitoring capabilities throughout supply chain operations.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Adjective
While abroad, stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places, and always have an emergency backup plan.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2025
Furphy is a 6-9 guard whom the Pacers kept out of the G League.
2025 draft picks: 54th
Draft need: Myles Turner is a free agent, and Indiana spent the entire season trying to account for Achilles tendon injuries to backups James Wiseman (since traded) and Isaiah Jackson.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 22 June 2025
If Richardson isn’t available, the Colts may consider adding another veteran QB, especially with rookie Riley Leonard serving as the team’s backup.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Many startups are exploring ways to combine energy harvesting with battery backup to enhance tracking and monitoring capabilities throughout supply chain operations.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
Amanda Edwards/WireImage Unlike luxury fashion or high-end accessories, where scarcity is often a deliberate strategy to generate buzz, products like jam and wine fall into the realm of everyday indulgences.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
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Bison jams are not uncommon in Yellowstone, given that the national park has ranged from a population of 3,500 to nearly 6,000 of the animals, according to the National Park Service.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Kepler’s in-house replacement would be Justin Crawford, the 21-year-old outfield prospect who is slashing .332/.408/.435 with 26 steals at Triple A.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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This is your first step toward most major repairs, including battery or motherboard replacements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Neither guy is particularly gelling with their mixed partners either (Schneemann & Parker), which has left them mid-table.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
And if the perception in the media starts to gel that Trump is being taken for a ride by Bibi, how does Trump then respond to appearing weak?—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter.—
Wen Xie,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Charlie Tasker, a 19-year-old right-back with a strong work ethic who gets up and down the pitch, was an unused substitute in five of Brighton’s Premier League games in April before injuries affected his chances of further involvement.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
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This makes sense for the cloud pioneer, as its meteoric growth was born out of infrastructure-as-a-service and its own custom silicon (e.g., Graviton, Trainium).—
Matt Kimball,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The new roadmap for schools could be challenging to administer, as the previous experience of the Maryland district bore out.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Tehran's rejection shows that U.S. pressure has hardened its stance, narrowing oversight after damage to its nuclear sites and suspended inspections.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
Many had been taught to feel shame in Native culture and language at Indian boarding schools; others had been hardened by prison stints or by the harsh realities of urban poverty.—
Nick Estes,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the Suns were going to get something for Durant, so the alternate history isn’t necessarily much different.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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In an alternate timeline, billionaire and investor Mark Cuban could have been Kamala Harris‘ vice presidential pick.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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