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
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)
Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Hammond had a great year as Behren Morton's backup, throwing for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in five games before his injury.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The fleet buildup is designed to prevent such single points of failure, and the new bill contains language that would require NOAA to have backup aircraft on hand for each mission.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Those supporting the three appellants — Dean Getz, Tara McCann and El Dorado Hills Community Services District Director Gary Kinghorn — expressed concerns about traffic on Appian Way, saying backups occur during busy hours.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Hammond had a great year as Behren Morton's backup, throwing for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in five games before his injury.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
Plot to rob a military ammunition plant Officials said the group discussed a backup plan to steal military ordnance after determining that its members lacked the expertise needed to manufacture homemade explosives.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The fleet buildup is designed to prevent such single points of failure, and the new bill contains language that would require NOAA to have backup aircraft on hand for each mission.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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Trading posts continue a system born out of the horrific Navajo livestock reduction program.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Related Stories That conviction has since been borne out by the numbers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Any apprehensions about whether a first-time collaboration between Hartford’s two largest self-producing theaters — Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford — could gel smoothly enough to grasp all the nuances of this challenging work are dispelled immediately by the opening number.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
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Formed in London in 1981, Culture Club’s first batch of songs came easily thanks to how well the members gelled, as Moss recalls in the clip from Boy George & Culture Club.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The visitors eventually loaded the bases in that inning, but Luzardo retired Xavier Edwards to escape the jam.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
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Jelly or jam contributes simple sugars that cause a faster spike in blood sugar.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The impact was felt almost immediately as his replacement, Mitchell Robinson, committed a flagrant foul that allowed San Antonio to return the favor with a six-point sequence, stretching the lead back to double digits.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Legislators passed a law two years ago barring the use of that barcode for the official vote count beyond July 1 of this year, but no replacement method of tabulating votes was ever implemented.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Outside of their sheltered practice area, kids played on a carousel and ran around playing makeshift games of tag.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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Today’s options are available in a range of finishes, silhouettes, and configurations for a dedicated office or makeshift workspace.—
Vy Yang,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Raw milk is treated with heat, acid, or enzymes to coagulate it into two distinct substances: curds, which become cheese, and whey, which was, at least until recently, the cheesemaking process’s unlovely by-product.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
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As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Veteran substitute Arnautovic appeared to have restored Austria’s lead in the 67th minute from a goalmouth scramble, but that was ruled out as Stefan Posch handled in the area.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In 2023, Manchester United was losing by a goal to Brentford when McTominay was sent on as an attacking-midfield substitute, and scored both a late equalizer and a winner in the final minutes.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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And Iran's failure to cut off support for its proxy force, Hezbollah, may not be enough for America's partner, Israel.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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Anthropic’s secure deployment guidance explicitly recommends proxy credential injection.—
Art Gilliland,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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