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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to testify (to)
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in makeshift
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025
Police then called in additional reinforcements to block Monument Circle from vehicle and foot traffic, and requested SWAT officers for backup.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
There's no slippage, either, in the entire ensemble, who play a heroic number of supporting characters and allow Abate to create delightful dances beyond the standard movement and gestures that traditionally belong to backups.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Most are backups or, at best, 1-B options, including Jake Allen and David Rittich.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Adjective
Two nearby officers, who heard the gunshots while on an unrelated call, radioed for backup.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025
Police then called in additional reinforcements to block Monument Circle from vehicle and foot traffic, and requested SWAT officers for backup.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
There's no slippage, either, in the entire ensemble, who play a heroic number of supporting characters and allow Abate to create delightful dances beyond the standard movement and gestures that traditionally belong to backups.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Most are backups or, at best, 1-B options, including Jake Allen and David Rittich.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Noun
-
Meanwhile, across the street, The Hitch General Store delights visitors with nostalgic treats such as Goo Goo Clusters, Moon Pies, jams, honey, and classic bottled sodas.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
-
Meghan Markle's As Ever online shop has now sold out in minutes on three occasions, leaving fans scrambling to get hold of her products, from jam to rosé wine.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
For the most part, he's either entered a game as a defensive replacement, a pinch-runner, or as a pinch-hitter in a blowout.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
And 22-year-old Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was named as the replacement for Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox, who’s on the IL with a strained quad.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
While there were a large quotient of natural or simply gelled looks, others took an edgier tack.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
8 July 2025
-
Plans gelled after the Buckeye and Bluegrass states signed their current agreement in February 2022 and then-President Joe Biden stood on the banks of the Ohio River the next January to tout the federal government’s $1.6 billion commitment to the project.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The call is for more person-to-person clienteling, which can be aided by AI, yet AI is no substitute for the personal connection.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
But what really rankles is the idea that these digital interlocutors are a plausible substitute for real friends or family.—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Foreign Flavor The number of international All-Stars is growing, with 365 born out of the United States.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Ironic from a country born out of revolting against taxation without representation.—
Jose Antonio Vargas,
Time,
4 July 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
Verb
-
Iran rejects tight restrictions on its nuclear program and has hardened its stance after Israel and the U.S. targeted its nuclear facilities in June.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
They’d be hardened to anything that life and work threw their way.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The alternate strategy was similar to Flamengo’s ploy that hurt Bayern.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
-
In its letter to the city announcing the event’s cancellation acquired by the Sentinel, the Rotary asked the City of Maitland to consider allowing the club to use the park for an alternate fundraising activity in the future.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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