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
Dubón is exactly what Anthopoulos wanted after the Braves adjusted their approach to backups.
—
Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 6 June 2026
One of the most common complaints is that the lane configuration can lead to significant traffic backups.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 5 June 2026
Things got bizarre leading up to the Division 2 final when Ganesha was prepared to only send backups to the game because its head coach and players were committed to traveling to Mississippi for a camp.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
However, plant at least a couple of peach seeds as backups in case germination is low.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Bailey Zappe and Kenny Pickett are high-end backups with spot-start ability.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The Waffle House waitress said the building’s management was inattentive to a raft of deeper issues, from sewage backups that crept into her bathtub to mold and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Ryan O’Leary, an American former fighter who led the Chosen Company volunteer unit in Ukraine, told me Ukrainian drone units need backups such as mesh radio networks, also known as MANET systems.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The transfer portal leads to a scholarship Flowers had a QB in for spring practice, Central Connecticut State transfer Josh Jackson, and two backups returning from last season.
—Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 6 June 2026
One of the most common complaints is that the lane configuration can lead to significant traffic backups.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 5 June 2026
Things got bizarre leading up to the Division 2 final when Ganesha was prepared to only send backups to the game because its head coach and players were committed to traveling to Mississippi for a camp.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
However, plant at least a couple of peach seeds as backups in case germination is low.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Bailey Zappe and Kenny Pickett are high-end backups with spot-start ability.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The Waffle House waitress said the building’s management was inattentive to a raft of deeper issues, from sewage backups that crept into her bathtub to mold and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Ryan O’Leary, an American former fighter who led the Chosen Company volunteer unit in Ukraine, told me Ukrainian drone units need backups such as mesh radio networks, also known as MANET systems.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The transfer portal leads to a scholarship Flowers had a QB in for spring practice, Central Connecticut State transfer Josh Jackson, and two backups returning from last season.
—Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
The Crusaders, who claimed a SoCal-record third regional title, racked up 14 hits but Payne worked out of several jams.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
-
Barton recommends using them in recipes like jams, jellies, preserves, and smoothies where their softer texture won't be an issue.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
There are many plants with great seasonal interest as potential replacements.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Four of the replacements – Madrigal, Meckler, Donovan Walton and José Siri – were not even on the 40-man roster two weeks ago.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Emergency physicians do not control inpatient staffing, discharge bottlenecks, rehabilitation placement delays, or bed availability, yet emergency departments absorb the consequences when hospitals operate beyond capacity.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
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The expansion followed numerous complaints from American shippers in the wake of global supply chain bottlenecks throughout 2021 and 2022, who had alleged that container shipping companies were bypassing them for service and charging them excessive late fees.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
This is the way authoritarianism substitutes for democracy – slowly and incrementally, until the whole system suddenly tips over.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
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Engineers had to come up with their own substitutes for some of the basic tools that other developers use to store code, launch websites, and set up servers.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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