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
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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
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as in makeshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Wentz has been a nomad since then, spending the 2021 season in Indianapolis, the 2022 season in Washington and then signing midway through 2023 as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams.
—Josh Dubow, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Building their teams, the Eagles invested heavily in defensive-line starters and backups so that a pass rush could snuff second-half comeback bids.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Fox Lake firefighters were assisted by seven other departments that responded to the scene or provided backup.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back (up) 
Noun
In the season, Valančiūnas has averaged 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists through 49 games, mostly coming off the bench as a backup and mentor for rookie center Alexandre Sarr.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Wentz has been a nomad since then, spending the 2021 season in Indianapolis, the 2022 season in Washington and then signing midway through 2023 as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams.
—Josh Dubow, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Building their teams, the Eagles invested heavily in defensive-line starters and backups so that a pass rush could snuff second-half comeback bids.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Fox Lake firefighters were assisted by seven other departments that responded to the scene or provided backup.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 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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Kirby’s big jam came right after Abalos, his good buddy and former AAU teammate, filled the lane and slammed home a rebound.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
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If meat isn’t on the menu, this handy tool can mix and mash up other foods, including fruits for jam.—
Amber Guetebier,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, according to Amazon shoppers, the pants are so much more than your favorite pair of workout leggings—they’re a replacement for trousers.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
15 Feb. 2025
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Black, an injury replacement for the Rising Stars event, averages 9.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 52 games. McClung, selected for his third Rising Stars event, notched 24.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds during 32.9 minutes in 15 G League games with Osceola, Orlando’s affiliate.—
Jason Beede,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Bernadette Peters' Life in Pictures Old Friends was born out of the lifetime friendship between the late Stephen Sondheim and superstar producer Cameron Mackintosh.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Speaking with the Washington Examiner at the event, Salvadoran Ambassador Carmen Milena Mayorga expressed optimism that relations with the U.S. would improve with Trump taking power — something that appears to have borne out.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
6 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 debut finally came in February 2016 as a second-half substitute in a 5-1 defeat at Chelsea in the FA Cup.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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Animal organs have been under development as a possible substitute for human ones for decades.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Remember to harden off the seedlings for a week or two before transplanting to avoid transplant shock. 10.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2025
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Trump is adding to the pressure with mass deportations—then hoping to contain whatever erupts by simply hardening the southern border.—
Will Freeman,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guatemala City Mayor Ricardo Quiñónez confirmed on X that emergency services had been deployed to the area and that traffic police were working on establishing alternate routes for those traveling to the area.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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This config ships with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, but HP has some alternate options as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near back (up)
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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