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)
Mary Beth Sheridan The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
The starting center has returned — but now the backup is out.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
Palestinian Authority security forces would be responsible for providing law and order, perhaps with the support and backup of an Arab intervention force.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
That would create more opportunities for a younger player like Ben Rice or a backup like Trent Grisham, who is roughly a week away from game action following a hamstring injury.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
In one city, Reynosa, the national guard had to scale back its vehicle inspections after local officials and business owners complained of traffic backups of up to six hours.
—Mary Beth Sheridan The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
The starting center has returned — but now the backup is out.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
Palestinian Authority security forces would be responsible for providing law and order, perhaps with the support and backup of an Arab intervention force.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
That would create more opportunities for a younger player like Ben Rice or a backup like Trent Grisham, who is roughly a week away from game action following a hamstring injury.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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But recent performances have shown the attacking quartet can gel nicely, with Ancelotti giving them the freedom to rotate in games.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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Tim Robinson’s post-show success puts him more in the Ben Stiller or Sarah Silverman lane of cast members who didn’t gel during their one season at 8H then quickly went on to bigger and better things.—
Andy Hoglund,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The annual event will feature vendors, strawberries, strawberry jam, themed basket drawings and arts and crafts.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
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For anyone worried that the end of American Riviera Orchard means no more artisanal jam, which Meghan famously gifted to A-list pals last year, fear not.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The bulk of those losses occurred after Feb. 5, when Robin Washington — a longtime Salesforce board member and Gilead’s former CFO — was announced as the replacement for veteran finance chief Amy Weaver, who disclosed plans to depart last year but stayed on until the role was filled.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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Whatever is left of the pavlova gets ground into a fine powder and used as a creative replacement for powdered sugar.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
No sanctuary policy is the same, and each locality has adopted different rules over time, but most were born out of the issues noted by Markowitz.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Inspiration Behind The BEAM Model The BEAM model was born out of necessity.—
Susan Curtin,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Still, blood’s habit of coagulating, so useful in the body, proved a challenge outside of it: within a few minutes of beginning a transfusion, clots would gum up the needles and tubes, seriously limiting the quantity of blood that could be moved from person to person.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
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Her husband’s samples had arrived there coagulated and useless.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But animals often make poor substitutes for humans.—
Celia Ford,
Vox,
3 Mar. 2025
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Think of it as a high-tech sprinkler system: excellent at putting out small fires instantly, but not a substitute for eliminating flammable materials in the first place.—
Michael Roytman,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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More frequent and severe disasters are forcing local governments to spend more on infrastructure — like sea walls, storm pumps, and hardening critical facilities — services that are funded largely through property taxes.—
Christopher Flavelle,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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Already, Russia appears to be hardening its stance: Moscow has ruled out any peacekeepers from NATO-member countries in monitoring any peace settlement.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In Bond, characters can’t cross over to alternate realities and meet other versions of themselves.—
Colin Burnett,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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Active listening furthers understanding of alternate views, fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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