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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backstop
Meanwhile, rich coal deposits stretched across northern Chinese provinces continue to feed power plants and backstop renewable supply, in a reminder that China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has yet to kick its fossil fuel habit.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
The Ellison Guarantee refers to Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee to backstop the Warners deal for his son, should any other equity deals fall through.
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Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Senior goalkeeper Giada McGlynn backstops a defense led by juniors Payton Cable, Sophia Duncan and Kasey Glynn and sophomore Sahana Raju.
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Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
In an email shared with the Herald Friday night, a spokesperson for Kraft Sports & Entertainment emphasized that Kraft Group has agreed to backstop the entire amount requested.
—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
The Ellison Guarantee refers to Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee to backstop the Warners deal for his son, should any other equity deals fall through.
—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Senior goalkeeper Giada McGlynn backstops a defense led by juniors Payton Cable, Sophia Duncan and Kasey Glynn and sophomore Sahana Raju.
—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
In an email shared with the Herald Friday night, a spokesperson for Kraft Sports & Entertainment emphasized that Kraft Group has agreed to backstop the entire amount requested.
—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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Sportswear giant Nike posted quarterly earnings that topped forecasts, aided by an expected refund of nearly $986 million in tariffs.
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The death toll includes thousands of children, in addition to aid workers and journalists.
Verb
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Harpring says the city is using smaller fireworks than in previous years and has added additional staff to assist with safety, a decision made after a 10-acre fire broke out in the city earlier this year.
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Royals catcher Carter Jensen made a pair of strong throws to assist Lugo on the mound.
Verb
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Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.
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Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.
Verb
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Gakpo's teammates came onto the filed to support him and formed a circle around him, putting their arms around each other as the crowd cheered, as shown in another video shared by Fox Sports.
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During pregnancy, iron demand increases to support both the baby and placenta, while postpartum recovery can further lower ferritin due to blood loss.
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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