backstop

verb

Definition of backstopnext
as in to aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end the Nobel-winning geneticist was of course backstopped in his research by a team of highly talented assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 backstop Intel has identified an anchor investor to backstop the secondary sale, which has now been upsized to $20 billion, said one of the people. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Bombers backstop Austin Wells said so himself after the second-place Yankees missed a chance to sweep the first-place Braves and lost, 2-1, in 10 innings on Sunday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 Developers have to allocate heavy front-end capital expenditures to backstop the grid, deploying commercial uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), industrial backup generators and next-generation liquid-cooling architectures. — Dr. Dick Bridy, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 To earn the starting spot, Langeliers beat out Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk in the head-to-head Phase 2 of fan voting, MLB announced Saturday. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
  1. aid
  2. assist
  3. help
  4. support
Verb
  • Some people are eating cottage cheese for its calcium content, saying the food will aid strong bones and teeth.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Your social networks, not just your professional ones, can also aid in your job search, Bonnie Dilber, a recruiting leader at the software company Zapier, previously told CNBC Make It.
    — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of aid
Verb
  • Gritsyuk and Hischier each scored their fifth goal of the season, with Jesper Bratt assisting on both scores.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, guests with mobility needs should note that the entrance requires navigating a set of external steps, though hotel staff are readily available to assist.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Verb
  • Representatives from Qatar, which has helped mediate negotiations between Washington and Tehran, also traveled to the Iranian capital on Sunday, Reuters reported.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Cocoa prices have dropped in the last year, but relief is coming too late to help prices for this Halloween, said David Branch, sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of help
Verb
  • More than 120 countries supported the resolution — only three voted against it — Argentina, Israel and the United States.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The organizers included activist Amy Sousa and commentator Brandi Kruse, who previously helped organize rallies supporting WNBA player Sophie Cunningham.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

backstairs
backstop
backstopped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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