Skip to content
WORDS, MADE CLEAR.
Your everyday English companion

Synonyms & antonyms

backup Synonyms & Antonyms

/ˈbækˌʌp/

What Is Another Word for Backup?

Common synonyms for backup are line, tailback and reserve.

Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.

Backup as a Noun

1

A reserve or substitute.

If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.

2

A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is damaged or destroyed.

After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.

3

An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of the flow or movement of the material, or an accumulation of material that causes an overflow due to the flow being greater than the maximum possible flow.

The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.

4

Reinforcements.

He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.

5

Any support or extra help.

6

Accompaniment.

7

Corroboration.

8

A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is destroyed or damaged.

After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.

Synonyms & similar words

9

(law enforcement) reinforcements

He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.

Synonyms & similar words

Backup as an Adjective

1

Standby, reserve or extra.

I am only a backup player.

2

That is intended as a backup.

Make a backup copy of that file.

3

Supporting, reinforcing; of or related to accompaniment

Backup as a Verb

1

Alternative form of back up.

Backup in a Sentence

If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.

After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.

The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.

The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.

He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.

I am only a backup player.

Make a backup copy of that file.

Word Forms & Grammar

backup (countable and uncountable, plural backups)

backup (not comparable)

backup (third-person singular simple present backups, present participle backupping, simple past and past participle backupped)

Words That Rhyme With Backup

Origin of Backup

Deverbal from back up.

Backup at a Glance

Part of speechnoun, adjective, verb
Pronunciation/ˈbækˌʌp/
MeaningA reserve or substitute
Synonymsline, tailback and reserve
Pluralbackups
Verb formsbackups, backupping, backupped

Common Questions About Backup

Is backup a noun or an adjective?

Backup is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective and a verb.

What is the plural of backup?

The plural of backup is backups.

What is the past tense of backup?

The past tense of backup is backupped. The present participle is backupping.

More About Backup On Meaning Stash

Backup In Our Articles

More Words Starting With “Bac”