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
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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
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as in makeshift
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back (up)
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Wentz has been a nomad since then, spending the 2021 season in Indianapolis, the 2022 season in Washington and then signing midway through 2023 as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams.
—Josh Dubow, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Building their teams, the Eagles invested heavily in defensive-line starters and backups so that a pass rush could snuff second-half comeback bids.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Fox Lake firefighters were assisted by seven other departments that responded to the scene or provided backup.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back (up) 
Noun
In the season, Valančiūnas has averaged 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists through 49 games, mostly coming off the bench as a backup and mentor for rookie center Alexandre Sarr.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Wentz has been a nomad since then, spending the 2021 season in Indianapolis, the 2022 season in Washington and then signing midway through 2023 as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams.
—Josh Dubow, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Building their teams, the Eagles invested heavily in defensive-line starters and backups so that a pass rush could snuff second-half comeback bids.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Fox Lake firefighters were assisted by seven other departments that responded to the scene or provided backup.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back (up)
Verb
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But so does character, which can help workers gel with their colleagues, making everyone feel more satisfied with their jobs and workplace environments.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
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Trading away Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason was a confusing move so it's taken time for the new players to gel together.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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If meat isn’t on the menu, this handy tool can mix and mash up other foods, including fruits for jam.—
Amber Guetebier,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
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Kirby’s big jam came right after Abalos, his good buddy and former AAU teammate, filled the lane and slammed home a rebound.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, using it too often or as a replacement for shampooing and conditioning your hair can pose some problems.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
3 Feb. 2025
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While the replacement process was ongoing when the attack occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, officials installed a temporary barrier where Bourbon Street meets Canal Street, presumably to prevent suspicious vehicles from driving down the busy tourist area.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Bernadette Peters' Life in Pictures Old Friends was born out of the lifetime friendship between the late Stephen Sondheim and superstar producer Cameron Mackintosh.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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The idea for the audiobook was born out of a cold call from a fan who happened to be a Simon & Schuster editor and who saw longform potential in Brier’s TikToks.—
Seija Rankin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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Her husband’s samples had arrived there coagulated and useless.—
John Carreyrou,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His debut finally came in February 2016 as a second-half substitute in a 5-1 defeat at Chelsea in the FA Cup.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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Animal organs have been under development as a possible substitute for human ones for decades.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Remember to harden off the seedlings for a week or two before transplanting to avoid transplant shock. 10.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2025
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What Causes Gallstones? Gallstones form when substances like cholesterol and bile salts harden into solid particles inside the gallbladder.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guatemala City Mayor Ricardo Quiñónez confirmed on X that emergency services had been deployed to the area and that traffic police were working on establishing alternate routes for those traveling to the area.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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This config ships with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, but HP has some alternate options as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near back (up)
Cite this Entry
“Back (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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