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
However, plant at least a couple of peach seeds as backups in case germination is low.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Then one team wants to make a mockery of the final, Ganesha, by using backups.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles 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
Traffic backups on the Sagamore Bridge go hand in hand with traveling to Cape Cod.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 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
The question is over his backups.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Travel experts expect traffic congestion throughout the state, with the longest backups in metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia and the state’s southeast region near the coast.
—Vanessa McCray, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Then one team wants to make a mockery of the final, Ganesha, by using backups.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles 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
Traffic backups on the Sagamore Bridge go hand in hand with traveling to Cape Cod.
—Logan Hall, CBS News, 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
The question is over his backups.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Travel experts expect traffic congestion throughout the state, with the longest backups in metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia and the state’s southeast region near the coast.
—Vanessa McCray, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
Breakfast included, with lots of homemade jams and pastries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Seyfrid also makes his own Bavarian-style mustards and jams.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump will have the power to fire members at his discretion, and Blanche could appoint replacements.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Tackling port electrification bottlenecks with 5MW output Designed for large-scale maritime operations, the Hydrogen Power Hub can deliver up to 5MW of continuous clean electricity directly to vessels at berth.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
-
That creates dependency, bottlenecks, and burnout disguised as excellence.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Ismaila Sarr said a prayer as the Palace substitutes and coaching staff rushed on to the pitch, a delighted mob.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Hart and Alvarez caution that devices should not become substitutes for engagement, emotional regulation or caregiving.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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