backlog

noun

Definition of backlognext
as in inventory
a large number of jobs or items that are waiting to be finished or processed We have a huge backlog of orders yet to be filled.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backlog The Memphis Police Department had begun chipping away at a backlog of cold cases as early as 2023, even as the department struggled with low staffing. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 Court officials have long been aware of the backlogs wracking this system, even publishing a law review article about it in 2003. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026 And there were labor shortages too, which created backlogs on orders. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 Sure, a big backlog of your spooky favorites can be a joy, but keeping up with this slate can feel like a chore. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backlog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlog
  1. inventory
  2. supply
  3. collection
  4. pile
  5. accumulation
  6. hoard
  7. cache
  8. stockpile
Noun
  • Eateries, stores and other businesses that received the oysters should check their inventory and ensure the affected products are no longer sold or served.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • More positively, Netflix should benefit from more sports inventory this year, in addition to efforts to bundle its offerings with those of other streaming services.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of inventory
Noun
  • The Patriot ammunition Ukraine needs is in short supply and is also required elsewhere in the world, Rubio said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Radar systems detect incoming threats and supply information that helps defensive missiles engage their targets.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of supply
Noun
  • Marshall’s medical debt practices After the two candidates took the stage, Holt asked Marshall to respond to criticism of his medical debt collection practices.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • At some point, Bernard decides to give a bedroom tour, showing off his collection of Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy posters.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of collection
Noun
  • Hours later, a group of rescuers in hard hats were using poles stripped from trees to poke at the huge pile of rubble.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • There was a basket with lemons, each one tied with red curling ribbon, fish spices stacked, the register with all the keys covered by a silicone hood, and a pile of newspapers next to a pile of wrapping sheets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pile
Noun
  • Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches with 8 to 10 inches along the highest mountain peaks.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This cancer is caused by the accumulation of certain genetic mutations that prevent rectal cells from repairing DNA damage and accounts for 5-10% of rectal cancers.
    — Alice Park, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of accumulation
Noun
  • Though the hoard was discovered last year, officials only recently announced the find, calling it the largest coin hoard from the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian ever found in Germany.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The film follows a group of adults in an isolated Pennsylvania farmhouse, as hoards of flesh-eating ghouls overrun the country and infiltrate their residence.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of hoard
Noun
  • In one experiment, models running in separate virtual machines used processor cache timing to exchange synthetic secrets.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Reading data from the cache is faster than retrieving it from main memory, and the agents used this timing difference to communicate.
    — Emma Roth, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cache
Noun
  • There used to be a strategic national stockpile in Texas for helium, much like America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Unseasonably mild weather has added to the glut and pushed natural gas stockpiles above the historical five-year average of 3,609 billion cubic feet, the EIA said Thursday.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stockpile

Browse Nearby Words

backlashes
backlog
backlogs
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Cite this Entry

“Backlog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backlog. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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