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
Toho played the second period with mostly backups and Cornerstone took advantage, scoring on the game’s final play to win the quarter 13-0.
—
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Norton also offers full online backups for your files, with 50GB of total storage.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that the most hazardous places are the interstates, where truck crashes that cause traffic backups are common.
—Justin Mayo, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Over the first weekend of May, park officials and visitors reported entrance station backups of up to 90 minutes with parking inside Yosemite Valley filling up before noon.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
The computers have backups, but the backups are also aging.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 May 2026
On the blocks surrounding 71st Street, major backups have become common during rush hour.
—Aaron Leibowitz
may 8, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Brake-by-wire technology has existed in limited forms before, mainly as hybrid systems that still relied on hydraulic backups.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
One person was killed in a crash that resulted in major traffic backups on Interstate 80 in Davis on Thursday afternoon, officials said.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Norton also offers full online backups for your files, with 50GB of total storage.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that the most hazardous places are the interstates, where truck crashes that cause traffic backups are common.
—Justin Mayo, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Over the first weekend of May, park officials and visitors reported entrance station backups of up to 90 minutes with parking inside Yosemite Valley filling up before noon.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
The computers have backups, but the backups are also aging.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 May 2026
On the blocks surrounding 71st Street, major backups have become common during rush hour.
—Aaron Leibowitz
may 8, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Brake-by-wire technology has existed in limited forms before, mainly as hybrid systems that still relied on hydraulic backups.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
One person was killed in a crash that resulted in major traffic backups on Interstate 80 in Davis on Thursday afternoon, officials said.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
There's nothing better than heading home from a trip with goodies, including local jams, veggies, and treats.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
Their tart stalks are staples in sweet dishes, such as pies, jams, and crumbles, but can also be used in savory dishes and even beverages.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
These schools may very well be training their own replacements.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
The frequent replacements mean a more frequent launching and a more frequent deorbiting compared to old-school missions designed with longer missions in mind.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
In volatile environments, centralized decision-making creates fatal bottlenecks.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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Nigeria’s potential upside is larger, though infrastructure bottlenecks remain acute despite the launch of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, which still does not fully meet domestic fuel demand.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
James Milner featuring prominently in rondos between the substitutes before last Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers was a significant signal about the present and the future for Brighton & Hove Albion’s ‘old guard’.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Here are our best ginger substitutes, both fresh and ground.—
Kelsey Ogletree,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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