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
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as in makeshift
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The Broncos, of course, are led by second-year starter Bo Nix and signed backup Jarrett Stidham to a two-year extension this summer.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
Ideal as a backup, travel laptop, or for kids—fast, portable, and versatile with free shipping.
—New Atlas, 7 May 2025
Joseph Woll will start for Toronto with Matt Murray as the backup.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Noun
There are also four experienced backups, including transfers Cox (New Mexico State) and McDougle (Idaho).
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
The Broncos, of course, are led by second-year starter Bo Nix and signed backup Jarrett Stidham to a two-year extension this summer.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
Ideal as a backup, travel laptop, or for kids—fast, portable, and versatile with free shipping.
—New Atlas, 7 May 2025
Joseph Woll will start for Toronto with Matt Murray as the backup.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
-
The touring band gelled quickly, with the trio putting a new spin upon the tracks live on stage each night, releasing their debut album Live Flowers as mssv (main steam stop valve) later that year.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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The defining hairstyle consisted of swoops or curls gelled to the forehead.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Creators have found dozens of ways to repurpose empty jam and jelly jars, affectionately referring to their collection of glass vessels as a jam jar army.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2025
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Explore Rihanna See latest videos, charts and news This week, Rihanna unveils a summer Smurf jam, Morgan Wallen pulls back the curtain and Jin continues his solo momentum.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
16 May 2025
Noun
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But the reality is that there is no replacement for Pulisic.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Nearly two weeks later, sources close to the situation tell The Star that Self and his assistants are operating with the expectation that Vaughn, the 50-year-old Pasadena, California native, will indeed be hired as Norm Roberts’ replacement in the near future.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Playoff narratives are born out of small sample sizes and this one isn’t any different.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Was the boy born out of wedlock or has Saul simply snapped?—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
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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
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While some blends can be used as a 1:1 ratio substitute for sugar, others are significantly sweeter than sugar and may have published ratios of up to 12:1.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
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Here is Tim’s verdict, based on the lad’s 38 minutes as a substitute.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Related article Ships, sea drones and AI: How NATO is hardening its defense of critical Baltic undersea cables CNN was not able to locate the registered owner of the Jaguar for comment.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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These devices must be hardened against attackers seeking stealthy persistence.—
Yuriy Bulygin,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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People with an allergy to kiwi should look for alternate sources of vitamin C. 6.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
19 May 2025
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When the good news came, there were about 15 hours until his tee time — which for an alternate might as well be a month.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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