1
as in to testify (to)
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in jam
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
2
as in replacement
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
as in makeshift
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
The former Steelers signal-caller served as the team’s backup for the majority of the 2024-25 season, with Russell Wilson becoming the starter after Week 6.
—David Close, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box $24 $18 at Amazon
Not every hotel room has a safe, and this portable lock box is a solid backup.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Maye is not the unquestioned starter ahead of veteran backup Joshua Dobbs and rookie undrafted free agent Ben Wooldridge.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
The former Steelers signal-caller served as the team’s backup for the majority of the 2024-25 season, with Russell Wilson becoming the starter after Week 6.
—David Close, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box $24 $18 at Amazon
Not every hotel room has a safe, and this portable lock box is a solid backup.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
While the action, characters, and comedy do ultimately gel by the end, viewers will likely have to wait for a season 2 to see Murderbot reach its killer potential.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
12 May 2025
-
The touring band gelled quickly, with the trio putting a new spin upon the tracks live on stage each night, releasing their debut album Live Flowers as mssv (main steam stop valve) later that year.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Moore stole second and Ryan Klein drew a walk to put two on with no outs, but Miami reliever Brain Walters remained composed, including a flyout to right, a groundout to short, and a flyout to center that helped the Hurricanes escape the jam and secure the victory.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
-
After drawing three straight walks to load the bases for Miami, Forbes struck out consecutive batters to escape the jam.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Amazon If Dad's water bottle is gross or dented, consider this replacement.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
3 June 2025
-
Super 8 is planning a full roof replacement, a new front entrance with automatic double doors and the implementation of PTAC heaters and coolers in all of the hotel’s 80 rooms, which will cost $195,000.—
Erin Yarnall,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The idea for the special day was born out of a desire to make AJ feel exceptionally loved during a time of change.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
-
The battling approach from Inzaghi’s side is borne out in the numbers, with a 54 per cent duel success rate in Europe this season — better than any other side since the start of the competition.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Todibo made his debut in August’s opening-weekend home loss against Aston Villa as a late substitute but West Ham’s then head coach Julen Lopetegui only introduced him to the starting XI gradually.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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Together, these activities form part of a bigger, sustained strategy that is, in effect, a new platform designed to make Martell a go-to substitute spirit in popular cocktails—and the entire cognac category by extension.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Remember, this isn’t about gaming the system—you’re hardening your company.—
Gabriel Labrada,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Wilders last week held a rare, formal press conference to present the government with an ultimatum for hardening the country’s asylum policy – despite the fact that the minister for asylum and migration is a member of his own party.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The bill allows for an alternate calculation based on four of the last five years, a boon for officers who received big raises at the very end of their careers.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
-
Nonetheless, the Pentagon is preparing for alternate scenarios.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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