prop up
phrasal verb
propped up; propping up; props up
1
: to stop (something) from falling or slipping by placing something under or against it
We propped up the beams with long boards.
propped the plant stems up
2
: to give help, encouragement, or support to (someone)
His faith propped him up in times of crisis.
Examples of prop up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their hordes of fans, all in replica jerseys, found propping up the bars of finish towns until the town’s beer is finished, have their first moment of real celebration.
—
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2025
In the complaint, that claim is propped up by a report from the Los Angeles Times and Congressional reports that state that Temu lacks measures to prevent products made in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) from reaching U.S. customers.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 18 July 2025
The concrete wall, which featured a deteriorating brick facade on top, was propped up using beams by a local foundation company, but the contractors couldn’t raise the brick without breaking them.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
Here’s a breakdown: Consumer spending Resilient households have propped up the economy the past few years but the threat of higher prices from tariffs has led Americans to rein in their spending, Daco and Millar said.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prop up
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Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2025
In the complaint, that claim is propped up by a report from the Los Angeles Times and Congressional reports that state that Temu lacks measures to prevent products made in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) from reaching U.S. customers.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 18 July 2025
The concrete wall, which featured a deteriorating brick facade on top, was propped up using beams by a local foundation company, but the contractors couldn’t raise the brick without breaking them.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
Here’s a breakdown: Consumer spending Resilient households have propped up the economy the past few years but the threat of higher prices from tariffs has led Americans to rein in their spending, Daco and Millar said.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prop up
Cite this Entry
“Prop up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop%20up. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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