1
as in to testify (to)
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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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 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
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Trent Rush, who had worked mostly on Angels radio, will take over as the backup television play-by-play man, working the games when Wayne Randazzo is not available.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
The Fyy organizer is slim enough to slip into any carry-on but manages to corral everything, including cords, backup batteries, and adapters into eight tidy pockets.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 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
Adjective
In reality, Janine may have needed a backup plan to her backup plan.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Trent Rush, who had worked mostly on Angels radio, will take over as the backup television play-by-play man, working the games when Wayne Randazzo is not available.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Ferrell gelled with each of them and everybody else, doing the Will Ferrell thing, which still works tremendously well after all these years.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
-
Liquid batches can separate or gel over time, so give it a good shake or stir before each use.—
Ryan Brennan
May 13,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The goal, according to Western analysts, was to listen in on or potentially jam signals relayed through these satellites, some of which route secure communications for US and NATO military forces.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
-
Wilson fanned the last batter to get out of the jam and finish with at least one strikeout in every inning.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The old road runs right along the modern replacement, grass and weeds gradually breaking it up.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dinah had gone silent under the makeshift tent.—
Stephen King,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
-
About noon Larry gunned the Maule — heavily loaded with moose meat — to a heart-stopping takeoff from the makeshift strip.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Public health experts have pushed back on these claims about nicotine, arguing that any potential benefits haven’t been borne out in studies, and nicotine is known to be addictive and increase the risk of heart issues.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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The Cowboys and Eagles are expected to compete for the NFC East title, while the Bills and Chiefs will continue a rivalry born out of multiple memorable regular-season and playoff meetings that pitted quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes against one another.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
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Two dented blue bottles of Cuajo Titanium, a liquid coagulating enzyme used to curdle milk, remained on a wooden table, caked in mud.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the 65th minute, second-half substitute Pablo miscontrolled El Hadji Malick Diouf’s quick throw-in.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Basic income cash transfers are not a good substitute for basic services in a social support system.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Although proxy voting is barred, some members of the House have been accused of still casting votes on behalf of other members in some instances.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
Bitcoin miners have seen similar turnarounds, evidenced by ETF-proxy WGMI .—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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