as in inventory
a large number of jobs or items that are waiting to be finished or processed
We have a huge backlog of orders yet to be filled.
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Recent Examples of backlog
Across cities and group chats, friends are scheduling weeknight gatherings dedicated to the unglamorous backlog of modern life, like the unpaid bills, the unbooked checkups, the inbox that has not seen the light of day.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
That’s why economists look beyond new orders and compare them with shipments, inventories, and backlogs.
—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
That’s important because the handful of major ports large enough to support full-scale cargo ships are bottlenecked and experience a constant backlog.
—
Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Compliance rates for an order directed at ending the backlog in pending investigations dropped from 88% to 68%.
—
Rafael Carranza,
ProPublica,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for backlog
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
That’s why economists look beyond new orders and compare them with shipments, inventories, and backlogs.
—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
That’s important because the handful of major ports large enough to support full-scale cargo ships are bottlenecked and experience a constant backlog.
—
Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Compliance rates for an order directed at ending the backlog in pending investigations dropped from 88% to 68%.
—
Rafael Carranza,
ProPublica,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for backlog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlog
Noun
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Several boxes of unsold items were visible behind the counter, suggesting ample inventory, although the worker told USA TODAY sales had been steady.
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The same logic applies to a supply chain operation where demand forecasting feeds inventory management, which in turn feeds procurement automation.
Noun
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Any monetization of the strait would be a dramatic change from the situation before the war, when commercial ships carrying 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supply transited the waterway without fees.
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The facility’s hot water supply was measured below proper hot water supply.
Noun
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The location is now a collection of cold storage facilities, parking lots and warehouses in Skid Row near its boundary with the Arts District.
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And cadets were on the hunt for unique pieces to add to their collections.
Noun
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Many have camped out along the edge of the piles of crushed concrete and rebar, awaiting any word of their relatives.
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But Carron happily pointed to a pile of recycled asphalt that has a different plan.
Noun
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Ocean heat content — a measure of heat stored through the upper layers of the ocean — has reached record highs in recent years, reflecting a long-term accumulation of heat across the global ocean.
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Ultimately, managing one's emotions is paramount for true wealth accumulation.
Noun
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Think of it as more room for your overflowing hoard of face masks and serums.
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Earlier this spring, two hobbyist treasure hunters uncovered one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found in Norway after discovering dozens of silver coins in a field.
Noun
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According to the Créteil prosecutor’s office, criminal investigators raided a home in the Paris suburb on June 15, expecting to find a cache of drugs.
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A bit of psychedelia, a cache of trumpets and a dollop of cheesy razzle-dazzle (The Beatles starred in a TV movie of the same name).
Noun
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When stockpiles fall, prices typically surge as refiners compete for scarce supply.
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Trump’s negotiators would need to be knowledgeable about what enrichment levels mean, centrifuge types and numbers, uranium stockpile accounting, reactor fuel requirements and verification mechanisms.
Cite this Entry
“Backlog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backlog. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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