1
as in jams
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 replacements
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backups
If history is any indication, the Hurricanes should be able to put in the majority of their backups by the second half of the game.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Hybrid-resilient architecture—local backups that can kick in like muscle memory when the cloud chokes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Mavericks had a shutout going until midway through the fourth quarter, well after coach Sean Sovacool sent in the backups.
—Bernie Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
According to MoDOT, when both lanes are fully used until the point of merge, the length of backups is reduced by 40 to 50 percent.
—Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Ideally, the Jayhawks, who are favored by more than 40 points, will get the chance to play backups the entire second half.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet as the team's backups played during preseason exhibitions for the past three weeks, and as the NFL's deadline to trim rosters to 53 players arrived Tuesday, the Browns' decision on one position in particular was constantly dissected.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
DeVitor was one of the many backups to former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Dugger played more snaps than most of his teammates in a second straight preseason game Thursday night, a 42-10 defeat to the Giants played out by backups on both sides.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Hybrid-resilient architecture—local backups that can kick in like muscle memory when the cloud chokes.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The Mavericks had a shutout going until midway through the fourth quarter, well after coach Sean Sovacool sent in the backups.
—Bernie Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
According to MoDOT, when both lanes are fully used until the point of merge, the length of backups is reduced by 40 to 50 percent.
—Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Ideally, the Jayhawks, who are favored by more than 40 points, will get the chance to play backups the entire second half.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet as the team's backups played during preseason exhibitions for the past three weeks, and as the NFL's deadline to trim rosters to 53 players arrived Tuesday, the Browns' decision on one position in particular was constantly dissected.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
DeVitor was one of the many backups to former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Dugger played more snaps than most of his teammates in a second straight preseason game Thursday night, a 42-10 defeat to the Giants played out by backups on both sides.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
As Ever’s first batch of products, which included teas, honey, jams, rosé wine, and even flower sprinkles, meanwhile, sold out in minutes.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
-
That period of time culminated in the group’s debut album, out later this year, that showcases We The Band’s funky R&B stylings alongside its knack for improvisational jams.—
Lyndsey Havens,
Billboard,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
To entice buyers, Huawei is offering at least 50% off screen replacements, as well as two free appointments to service the phone at home or at a preferred location.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Among the seven people Kennedy appointed as replacements are several like-minded vaccine skeptics and two persons with limited if any vaccine expertise.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This avoids bottlenecks that slow down conventional chips and could make the system 100 times faster and more energy-efficient at specific tasks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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Knowledge gained from the meetings was also used to help guide investments in labs, technology, and people that removed real bottlenecks.—
Nelson P. Repenning,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sweeteners such as honey, sugar, or sugar substitutes can be added, along with lemon or lime juice, to adjust the taste as desired.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Slot has lost one of his real impact substitutes from last season.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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