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
-
There were some promising moments in that Overwatch demo, such as when Copilot suggested a new hero selection that gelled well with both the player's current teammates and the player's play history on the current map.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Mar. 2025
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Men’s Pro Doubles Recap After weeks of top players dancing around new partners, and more than two months removed from the big Johns brothers split up, this event finally seems to have the top teams gelled and competing.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Brown had just gotten out of his own jam in the top of the inning to end his outing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Skubal used his calling-card changeup to escape a jam early.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Supply chain bottlenecks and shortages of critical components—such as semiconductors and specialized machinery—have further driven up prices, highlighting the substantial gap between current book values and genuine replacement or reproduction costs.—
Mark Le Dain,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Sadly, Stella was discontinued in 2011, but of course, Reddit has suggestions on a replacement.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The company is in the midst of enacting a new business plan, born out of the restructuring and layoffs last year, Strugatz reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was born out of the landscape of early animation, owing as much to the era’s high jinks–centric shorts as to the Brothers Grimm.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Hope needs to find hope and coagulate into a giant hope.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
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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
Noun
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There’s simply no substitute for the positive outcomes that qualities like grit, individual effort, commitment and consistency can predictably bring into your life.—
Vinesh Sukumaran,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Wellness shots should be consumed in moderation and are not a substitute for a well-rounded diet.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD,
Health,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tomato seedlings that aren't hardened off can struggle to grow or adapt to the outdoor climate after transplanting.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
-
March 27 is an opportunity to dissolve barriers between the heart and the soul, and to soften the edges where hurt has hardened us.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a surprise twist this week, Read added one of the alternate jurors from her first trial to her legal team for the retrial.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2025
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The uniform rule change will allow teams to wear throwback and alternate jerseys more often, another welcome change for fans.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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