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
As a result, the roads bordering the Statehouse — North Capitol Avenue, West Street, Washington Street and Ohio Street — will likely see more backups than usual.
—
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
The quartet along with their backups, NASA astronaut Andre Douglas and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, have been in quarantine since March 18.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
According to early reports, backups stretch to the Golden Glades Interchange in North Miami-Dade.
—Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Zavala and Samac are back to potentially serve as immediate backups at guard and center, respectively.
—Mike Kaye
march 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
So far, cargo headed from the Far East to the Middle East, which could have been diverted to Malaysia, Singapore or Sri Lanka, hasn’t caused backups in those markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
Maye was complimentary of both his backups shortly after DeVito was claimed off waivers last August.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Devers is a good first baseman and wants to be great, and backups Koss and Schmitt excel afield, too.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Traffic cameras from the Texas Department of Transportation still showed backups mid-Sunday morning.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Mar. 2026
The quartet along with their backups, NASA astronaut Andre Douglas and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, have been in quarantine since March 18.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
According to early reports, backups stretch to the Golden Glades Interchange in North Miami-Dade.
—Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Zavala and Samac are back to potentially serve as immediate backups at guard and center, respectively.
—Mike Kaye
march 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
So far, cargo headed from the Far East to the Middle East, which could have been diverted to Malaysia, Singapore or Sri Lanka, hasn’t caused backups in those markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
Maye was complimentary of both his backups shortly after DeVito was claimed off waivers last August.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Devers is a good first baseman and wants to be great, and backups Koss and Schmitt excel afield, too.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Traffic cameras from the Texas Department of Transportation still showed backups mid-Sunday morning.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
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Working with strict limitations—no more than five instruments; just one hour to make each track—the two West Coast leftfield vets turn out a surprisingly expansive set of wooly electronic jams.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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And all shows and jams ceased to exist.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 2012, the NFL was caught off guard, forced to pluck unqualified replacements, some of whom were fanboys of specific teams and another of whom was a competitor in the World Series of Poker.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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Gash and Brin, who are Highland Park residents, disclosed their decisions not to seek reelection to lead their parties on Wednesday, giving the respective precinct committeepersons time to evaluate potential replacements before their April conventions.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The airport says those premature arrivers — reacting to the funding standoff on Capitol Hill that’s creating crowded security checkpoints — are making things worse by creating bottlenecks during peak times.—
John Seewer,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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The enormous amount of money flowing across Noem’s desk led to complaints of bottlenecks and worsening bureaucracy, and raised suspicions that Lewandowski was grifting off the contracts.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ohio has seen fewer deaths but more risky behavior lately as fentanyl supplies dry up and people turn to substitutes tainted by animal tranquilizers.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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