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
Swapping out some seals and other work seems to have fixed these issues, according to officials who say that the latest countdown dress rehearsal went smoothly, despite glitches such as a loss of ground communications in the Launch Control Center that forced workers to temporarily use backups.
—
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Fixing those backups is expensive, and sometimes clogging can cause sewage overflows into streets, yards, rivers and lakes.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
If the home is older, has mature trees nearby, or shows any signs of slow drains or backups, this inspection is worth every dollar.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Running out of memory, setting up a new phone or simply wanting peace of mind, Picture Keeper removes the headache from backups.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Expect backups and a few detours.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Carry physical charging cards as backups.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Facing mostly backups in the fourth quarter, Jamahl Mosley‘s squad won 120-117 against a Jazz squad that recorded its 37th loss of the season.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Cox, Williams and McLaughlin are backups looking to step up.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
Fixing those backups is expensive, and sometimes clogging can cause sewage overflows into streets, yards, rivers and lakes.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
If the home is older, has mature trees nearby, or shows any signs of slow drains or backups, this inspection is worth every dollar.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Running out of memory, setting up a new phone or simply wanting peace of mind, Picture Keeper removes the headache from backups.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Expect backups and a few detours.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Carry physical charging cards as backups.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Facing mostly backups in the fourth quarter, Jamahl Mosley‘s squad won 120-117 against a Jazz squad that recorded its 37th loss of the season.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Cox, Williams and McLaughlin are backups looking to step up.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
The jams quickly began to draw both a vivacious crowd of listeners and a core group of budding jazz musicians.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
These jams typically form in two ways.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After the Maduro regime barred Machado, both academic Corina Yoris and former presidential candidate Manuel Rosales were considered as possible replacements.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The replacements are always luxury.—
Roberta Brandes Gratz,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Increase transparency in taxes and healthcare pricing, reduce bottlenecks that slow housing construction, support workforce expansion in skilled trades, and cut waste so taxpayers are not paying more for less.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
According to him, real-world deployment is a key step to removing the practical and technological bottlenecks that humanoids face today.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Milk or milk substitutes commonly used in overnight oats also contribute nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, which support bone health, muscle function and nerve signaling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 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,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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