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
Not one receiver on the Miami Dolphins depth chart has established anything worth bragging about throughout their professional careers, and Miami’s two frontline wideouts — Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert — are both career backups.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
That led Smith to throw to a collection of rookies, journeymen and backups.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Water and Sewer Department worker Crispin Paustian said debris gets into the storm drain system during the winter, causing clogs and backups.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The head coach enjoys learning about the experiences of journeyman backups.
—Mike Kaye
april 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Behind those two, the Packers have backups Jaden Crumedy, James Ester, Warren Brinson, Dante Barnett, and Anthony Campbell.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
As a result, the roads bordering the Statehouse — North Capitol Avenue, West Street, Washington Street and Ohio Street — will likely see more backups than usual.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Mar. 2026
McCaffrey’s on-field presence kept backups Brian Robinson, Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James on the bench.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The quartet along with their backups, NASA astronaut Andre Douglas and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, have been in quarantine since March 18.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
That led Smith to throw to a collection of rookies, journeymen and backups.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Water and Sewer Department worker Crispin Paustian said debris gets into the storm drain system during the winter, causing clogs and backups.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The head coach enjoys learning about the experiences of journeyman backups.
—Mike Kaye
april 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Behind those two, the Packers have backups Jaden Crumedy, James Ester, Warren Brinson, Dante Barnett, and Anthony Campbell.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
As a result, the roads bordering the Statehouse — North Capitol Avenue, West Street, Washington Street and Ohio Street — will likely see more backups than usual.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Mar. 2026
McCaffrey’s on-field presence kept backups Brian Robinson, Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James on the bench.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The quartet along with their backups, NASA astronaut Andre Douglas and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, have been in quarantine since March 18.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backups
Noun
-
Working with strict limitations—no more than five instruments; just one hour to make each track—the two West Coast leftfield vets turn out a surprisingly expansive set of wooly electronic jams.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And all shows and jams ceased to exist.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 2012, the NFL was caught off guard, forced to pluck unqualified replacements, some of whom were fanboys of specific teams and another of whom was a competitor in the World Series of Poker.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Gash and Brin, who are Highland Park residents, disclosed their decisions not to seek reelection to lead their parties on Wednesday, giving the respective precinct committeepersons time to evaluate potential replacements before their April conventions.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The airport says those premature arrivers — reacting to the funding standoff on Capitol Hill that’s creating crowded security checkpoints — are making things worse by creating bottlenecks during peak times.—
John Seewer,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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The enormous amount of money flowing across Noem’s desk led to complaints of bottlenecks and worsening bureaucracy, and raised suspicions that Lewandowski was grifting off the contracts.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Technological substitutes for firsthand encounters with human beings who are different from us do not exist.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The data on the popularity of meat substitutes aren’t especially forgiving, either.—
Andrew Zaleski,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backups. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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