1
as in to testify (to)
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) — intended as a backup to VAERS — is virtually unusable for serious research.
—Bonny Chu , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
The Panthers didn’t select an offensive tackle in the draft and both of their main backups, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman, are on contracts that expire next year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Depth-chart impact Sanders will likely begin as a rotational defensive tackle within their scheme and the primary backup to 33-year-old starter DaQuan Jones.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
On Robust Earnings Reports—As Microsoft Reclaims Crown As World’s Largest Company
Unlike Microsoft, which pushes users to delete passwords as an account vulnerability if kept alongside passkeys, Google is keeping passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) as a backup.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) — intended as a backup to VAERS — is virtually unusable for serious research.
—Bonny Chu , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
The Panthers didn’t select an offensive tackle in the draft and both of their main backups, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman, are on contracts that expire next year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025
Depth-chart impact Sanders will likely begin as a rotational defensive tackle within their scheme and the primary backup to 33-year-old starter DaQuan Jones.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
One night our fifth grade son’s slightly spastic basketball team suddenly gelled.—
Drew Ramsey,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
-
So far, however, Mantzoukas’s high energy is gelling well with the show’s competitive bent.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Creators have found dozens of ways to repurpose empty jam and jelly jars, affectionately referring to their collection of glass vessels as a jam jar army.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2025
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Explore Rihanna See latest videos, charts and news This week, Rihanna unveils a summer Smurf jam, Morgan Wallen pulls back the curtain and Jin continues his solo momentum.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
His replacement, Anthony Banda, failed to stem a turning tide.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
-
The Broncos had four veteran players in for tryouts: Quarterback Ian Book — a former Payton draft pick in New Orleans and late replacement for Desmond Ridder — fullback Jack Colletto, running back Chris Evans and tight end Cole Fotheringham.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Playoff narratives are born out of small sample sizes and this one isn’t any different.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Was the boy born out of wedlock or has Saul simply snapped?—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But there was another possible explanation the company didn’t discuss: Blood could coagulate inside the filter if the dialysis machine’s flow rate was set too low.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
If used mindfully, AI can be part of a modern intimacy toolkit, if not leveraged as a substitute for human connection.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
15 May 2025
-
Days after the Ways and Means Committee released a draft version of the tax bill, followed by a substitute amendment, questions began to fly.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
While the healing process can be beneficial in securing the implant in place, the scar tissue can also harden and contract around the insert, causing difficulties in regards to aesthetics — as well as pain — per the site.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
12 May 2025
-
Without clear communication from management, early skepticism can harden into quiet resistance.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
While my heart will forever yearn for an alternate reality where Bobby Nash is alive and well, my head knows that Peter Krause‘s beloved 9-1-1 character is indeed six feet under.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
-
Granted, the top two finishers in that race are very good horses — and both are entered here, with winner Journalism the favorite and Baeza joining the field as an alternate — but proceed with caution.—
Teresa Genaro,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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