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)
Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
The former Steelers signal-caller served as the team’s backup for the majority of the 2024-25 season, with Russell Wilson becoming the starter after Week 6.
—David Close, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box $24 $18 at Amazon
Not every hotel room has a safe, and this portable lock box is a solid backup.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
Maye is not the unquestioned starter ahead of veteran backup Joshua Dobbs and rookie undrafted free agent Ben Wooldridge.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
Concerns about backdoors and remote access features — including a controversial update by Ledger in 2023 — prompted the family to abandon physical hardware altogether in favor of encrypted paper and steel backups.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025
The former Steelers signal-caller served as the team’s backup for the majority of the 2024-25 season, with Russell Wilson becoming the starter after Week 6.
—David Close, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box $24 $18 at Amazon
Not every hotel room has a safe, and this portable lock box is a solid backup.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
Neither guy is particularly gelling with their mixed partners either (Schneemann & Parker), which has left them mid-table.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
And if the perception in the media starts to gel that Trump is being taken for a ride by Bibi, how does Trump then respond to appearing weak?—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
And the jam—of course, the jam: the product As ever is perhaps most known for is back, but not in the raspberry flavor that was sold in April.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Products in As ever’s first ever drop included flower sprinkles, cookies, jam and more.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
To be at replacement levels, the birth rate would have to be a bit higher at 2.1.—
Alix Martichoux,
The Hill,
15 June 2025
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The estate provides vine cuttings to a nursery in the Savoie, which creates massal (rather than clonal) replacement vines for them.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The system was born out of a proposal by a police official early last year.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
-
The Displacement Film Fund (DFF) was born out of a dinner conversation between Blanchett and Fast Retailing senior executive officer Koji Yanai back in 2023.—
Kelly Wetherille,
Footwear News,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Within hours the pool would coagulate into electric-blue slush, like a gas station Slurpee.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
-
That familiar lump of expectation coagulated in my stomach and throat.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There is no substitute for these resources – not from philanthropy, industry or states.—
Shalin Jyotishi,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Disappointed that there was no face-to-face meeting; phone conversations are a substitute.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Democratic policies regarding immigration have evolved as attitudes, even among Latinos, have hardened after record border crossings during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
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Now, your union advised agricultural employers to harden work sites.—
A Martínez,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The bill allows for an alternate calculation based on four of the last five years, a boon for officers who received big raises at the very end of their careers.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
-
Nonetheless, the Pentagon is preparing for alternate scenarios.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
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