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
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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
1
as in to testify (to)
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Tony East, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, Earle was the backup quarterback for then-UNT coach Seth Littrell, and appeared in four games.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Achiuwa in play In its search for another veteran backup power rotation player, the Heat has expressed interest in power forward/center Precious Achiuwa, its 2020 first-round pick, but has not offered him a contract, an involved party said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Verb
With rebounding rising in importance during the Pacers playoff series against the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, Bradley was promoted to being the backup five, taking some minutes from Thomas Bryant.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, Earle was the backup quarterback for then-UNT coach Seth Littrell, and appeared in four games.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Bigsby will likely slot in behind Will Shipley, but could eventually become Barkley's primary backup over the course of the year.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Achiuwa in play In its search for another veteran backup power rotation player, the Heat has expressed interest in power forward/center Precious Achiuwa, its 2020 first-round pick, but has not offered him a contract, an involved party said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
If fries aren’t your jam, all four meat options — chicken, lamb, steak and falafel — are available as a standard gyro wrapped in a pita bread or as a platter with rice.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
That roster includes dishes like foie gras truffle with charred onion jam and a house croissant; a wild boar belly and antelope with pistachio, fermented harissa, and yogurt; and an Asian pear sorbet with aloe sabayon and ginger tapioca.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, it wasn't positioned as a replacement for the Plus, but as the company exploring a new design trend.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
If White is recalled, a temporary replacement will be appointed by either county legislators or a judge until voters can elect a new county executive in November 2026.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Roger Hodgson, a posh young guitarist whose post-private school rearing clashed with Davies' own humble origins, wound up gelling with Davies, and Supertramp was born — after a few months under the moniker of Daddy.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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Trotter reenergized the label with her quietly sensual designs in tune with Madame Carven’s fondness for simple constructions and clean lines — and her focus on textures would gel with Bottega Veneta and her predecessor’s work at the brand.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
It hadn't been fired and had a scope attached to it in a makeshift manner using electrical tape.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The latest scramble completed, punctuating the next step in searching for a program-defining victory, Kelvin Durham took both hands and turned them into makeshift ear muffs while sauntering to the sideline.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The last 11 players on the pitch go into the huddle; the substitutes are not involved, making the circle smaller and ensuring players can hear.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Sacramento River acted as a substitute for the Mississippi River.—
John Turton,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Calculations, and later (in the 1950s), experiments, borne out the fact that nuclear physics supported Hoyle’s position, not Gamow’s.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
-
That instinct is born out in research.—
Kate Ruder,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The basketball gods have handed us an opportunity — a chance to stir up a rivalry that has been sitting cold and coagulating on the back burner for far too long.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The race could become a proxy battle of sorts between the progressive Wu and the more moderate Kraft, who is also running as a Democrat.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In order to achieve that unprecedented thirteen-digit net worth, the Tesla CEO would need to massively increase the company’s market value over the next decade, according to the proxy statement released by Tesla.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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