1
as in to testify (to)
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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
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as in makeshift
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
There’s always the chance that one of the scads of backups on the team overtakes Aguilar after spring practice and fall training camp, but don’t count on it based on the fact that no one else on the roster has thrown a pass at the college level.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
More Bucks News: Bobby Portis Hit with Massive Suspension for Violating NBA Policy
Lillard's backup at the point, Ryan Rollins, is a better defender, but presents a far less complete offensive package.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Smythe’s one-year, low-money deal says that the Bears added a capable backup, one who has experience with Johnson.
—Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
All Gmail users should setup passkeys and ensure the strongest form of 2FA is is in place for passwords left in place as a backup.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
There’s always the chance that one of the scads of backups on the team overtakes Aguilar after spring practice and fall training camp, but don’t count on it based on the fact that no one else on the roster has thrown a pass at the college level.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
More Bucks News: Bobby Portis Hit with Massive Suspension for Violating NBA Policy
Lillard's backup at the point, Ryan Rollins, is a better defender, but presents a far less complete offensive package.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Smythe’s one-year, low-money deal says that the Bears added a capable backup, one who has experience with Johnson.
—Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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There were some promising moments in that Overwatch demo, such as when Copilot suggested a new hero selection that gelled well with both the player's current teammates and the player's play history on the current map.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Mar. 2025
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Men’s Pro Doubles Recap After weeks of top players dancing around new partners, and more than two months removed from the big Johns brothers split up, this event finally seems to have the top teams gelled and competing.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Brown had just gotten out of his own jam in the top of the inning to end his outing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Skubal used his calling-card changeup to escape a jam early.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Supply chain bottlenecks and shortages of critical components—such as semiconductors and specialized machinery—have further driven up prices, highlighting the substantial gap between current book values and genuine replacement or reproduction costs.—
Mark Le Dain,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Tied to this, Bolton said, was the CEO’s belief that quantum computing should be marketed as a special tool that works alongside classical systems as opposed to a replacement.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The company is in the midst of enacting a new business plan, born out of the restructuring and layoffs last year, Strugatz reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was born out of the landscape of early animation, owing as much to the era’s high jinks–centric shorts as to the Brothers Grimm.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But there was another possible explanation the company didn’t discuss: Blood could coagulate inside the filter if the dialysis machine’s flow rate was set too low.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Hope needs to find hope and coagulate into a giant hope.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There’s simply no substitute for the positive outcomes that qualities like grit, individual effort, commitment and consistency can predictably bring into your life.—
Vinesh Sukumaran,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Wellness shots should be consumed in moderation and are not a substitute for a well-rounded diet.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD,
Health,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tomato seedlings that aren't hardened off can struggle to grow or adapt to the outdoor climate after transplanting.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
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March 27 is an opportunity to dissolve barriers between the heart and the soul, and to soften the edges where hurt has hardened us.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a surprise twist this week, Read added one of the alternate jurors from her first trial to her legal team for the retrial.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2025
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The uniform rule change will allow teams to wear throwback and alternate jerseys more often, another welcome change for fans.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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