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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
The bases served as an emergency backup when the federal government’s shelter system for migrant children reached capacity.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Earlier in the month, another shopper at a Walmart location in Glenmont, New York, complained in an X post about the lack of open registers and a backup at self-checkout.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Ideally, Chicago would deploy Turner as a backup at both corner infield spots.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
The officer called for backup and stepped outside where, prosecutors say, Torres got into a fighting stance.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
The bases served as an emergency backup when the federal government’s shelter system for migrant children reached capacity.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Earlier in the month, another shopper at a Walmart location in Glenmont, New York, complained in an X post about the lack of open registers and a backup at self-checkout.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Ideally, Chicago would deploy Turner as a backup at both corner infield spots.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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But so does character, which can help workers gel with their colleagues, making everyone feel more satisfied with their jobs and workplace environments.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
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Trading away Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason was a confusing move so it's taken time for the new players to gel together.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In the accompanying photo, Meghan is seen drizzling honey onto a croissant beside what appears to be her now-famous jam.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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The annual event will feature vendors, strawberries, strawberry jam, themed basket drawings and arts and crafts.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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The quasi-alliance constructed in over a decade by the personal connections between President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is borne out by record-high trade volumes and mutual political support.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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If forecasts bear out as expected for Tuesday, Kansas City would set a record for the coldest high temperature on this date, the National Weather Service posted on X. The current record is 11 degrees, set in 1936.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 Feb. 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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His superior record as a substitute indicates that, but his finish against Spurs and his assist against Leicester added further weight to the belief.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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Bentaleb, who was told his career might be over after collapsing in June, came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of the Ligue 1 game and scored within four minutes of being on the pitch.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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My eyes were hardening around the edges, just like my heart.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After a late withdrawal from 2024 Olympic alternate Tiana Sumanasekera due to illness, many expected 2024 Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera to run away with the meet.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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My fiancé has a 2-year-old son and due to alternate work schedules, the child spends the days with my fiance and then nights with his mother.—
Jann Blackstone,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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