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
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Nick Hundley Hundley, 42, has a prior relationship with Posey, having served as his backup catcher in ’17 and ’18.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Casale and Officer Li called for backup from MTAPD Highway Patrol Officers Sam Vira and Brian Gilligan.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Verb
Due to the team's offensive struggles, the Browns are expected to replace quarterback Joe Flacco with backup rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was the 94th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
—Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Nick Hundley Hundley, 42, has a prior relationship with Posey, having served as his backup catcher in ’17 and ’18.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Adkins called for backup, and police quickly found Manchester hiding in shrubs by the water tower.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Casale and Officer Li called for backup from MTAPD Highway Patrol Officers Sam Vira and Brian Gilligan.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
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There would be no replay of that 2022 failure, which featured the same inning (sixth), the same jam (bases loaded) and the same long walk (for John Schneider to pull Gausman).—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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My preferred brand of apple butter is made by McCutcheon's, a family-run company based in Frederick, Maryland that makes a wide array of jams, jellies, and preserves.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The stylus itself is a bit larger and more rounded than before, snaps to the tablet magnetically, and supports replacement tips.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Oct. 2025
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One such provision was set to eliminate replacements on property taxes for all political subdivisions, a measure that critics say would cut funding to essential public services such as schools and emergency services.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The offensive line, meanwhile, hasn’t fully gelled after a makeover following the Super Bowl blowout at the hands of the Eagles.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
15 Sep. 2025
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In the same way Everton remain a complicated work in progress on the pitch — still learning to gel nine new signings in a squad that boasted the lowest budget in the WSL last season — the Goodison project remains a work in progress, a symbol of an exciting but ultimately unknown future.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a long day down the shafts, mineworkers would gather at rowdy makeshift pubs called shebeens, and play famo.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
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Sometimes, Germayne Cunningham would tie Sanaa up using one of his large t-shirts as a makeshift straitjacket, Clark added.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Messi played Allende through again one minute later for a close-range finish that reestablished the Herons’ two-goal lead, and Alba capped the scoring in the 63rd minute after receiving a pass down the left from substitute Telasco Segovia.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
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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,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Klum revealed in a 2024 interview with USA TODAY that the idea for the party was born out of a lack of other viable hotspots.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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For Woodruff, The Green Kitchen was born out of her own healing journey after overcoming the Epstein-Barr virus and heavy metal toxicity through mindful eating and nutrient-dense foods.—
Wyles Daniel,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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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The proxy statement also noted the company’s annual shareholder meeting would be held November 14.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
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Our Top Programming Languages interactive tries to tackle the problem of estimating a language’s popularity by looking for proxy signals.—
Stephen Cass,
IEEE Spectrum,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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