1
as in to testify (to)
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in makeshift
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Caliendo is expected to be the primary backup to Suamataia and Smith at right guard.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
The former New York Giants quarterback, who finished last season as a backup in Minnesota after being released mid-season, has agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL Network first reported Tuesday.
—Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
The veteran outfielder, trying to make the team as a backup in center field, went 0 for 1 with a walk and a strikeout.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
The Dolphins recently signed tackle Larry Borom, a free agent from Chicago, who will likely serve as a backup, and have reserve tackles Jackson Carman and Kion Smith, who is returning from a season-ending injury.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Caliendo is expected to be the primary backup to Suamataia and Smith at right guard.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
The former New York Giants quarterback, who finished last season as a backup in Minnesota after being released mid-season, has agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL Network first reported Tuesday.
—Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
The veteran outfielder, trying to make the team as a backup in center field, went 0 for 1 with a walk and a strikeout.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Let the mixture sit overnight in the fridge—the seeds will gel and expand into a pudding-like consistency.—
Devineé Lingo, M.S.,
Health,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The endgame manages to gel the best parts of Split Fiction together and delivers a showstopping, genre-fusing, radical evolution of everything that comes before it.—
Kyle Wilson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Russians jam, too, of course—but Russian jamming doesn’t have the impact that Ukrainian jamming does.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Markle reintroduced her lifestyle brand As Ever on Feb. 18, promising to sell jams, herbal teas, cookware, home goods, linens and apparel.—
Renan Botelho,
WWD,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This buildup can reduce the water pressure, create clogs, or lead to leaks, forcing you to hire a plumber for repairs and replacement jobs.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Such a cost-benefit analysis of whether to accept $9.9 million in 2025-26 dead money plus the cost of a replacement shooter could come down to what is seen from Robinson over the balance of the schedule.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a startup born out of MIT, has raised the most money, nearly $2 billion from the likes of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Google.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
16 Mar. 2025
-
This type of jerky is known in Mexico as carne seca, born out of when cowboys would leave raw meat out in the desert sun.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Hope needs to find hope and coagulate into a giant hope.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Boateng played 48 minutes on March 1 and logged 28 minutes as a substitute in last week’s 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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In food and drinks, it’s often used as a thickener, preservative, and sugar substitute.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Select and prepare the planting location while the plants are hardening off.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Public opinion in Europe has hardened against Russia, and there is a growing recognition that strategic dependency on the U.S. is untenable.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The two were set to testify for a special hearing about what states could do to address affordability concerns as Colorado Democrats and Republicans pursue alternate solutions to the state’s high cost of living.—
Seth Klamann,
The Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2025
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Based on the acclaimed book by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter follows Jason Dessen, (Edgerton) a physicist, professor, and family man who — one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago — is abducted into an alternate version of his life.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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