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
In contrast, Disney’s parks and cruise business has been a bright spot, in many ways propping up the whole company.
—
Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Still, the most important playoff previews came courtesy of the Dodgers’ middle three hitters, who provided the kind of high-leverage production that can overcome pitching deficiencies, prop up an otherwise top-heavy lineup, and just maybe prolong the club’s upcoming postseason run.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
In other cases, carbon credit projects have been accused of propping up companies that also engage in less forest-friendly work elsewhere.
—WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
Outside of the comics themselves, both books feel lifeless, propped up, almost vaguely disrespectful.
—Gyasi Hall, Longreads, 12 Sep. 2023
That explains the President’s plan this week to spend billions to prop up union jobs in electric-car production that the government is forcing on auto makers.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2023
An inmate recalled seeing the virtuoso Gideon Klein playing a busted old piano that had been scavenged from the town and propped up on wooden blocks.
—Douglas Starr, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
That meant the parents who had taught Sturdivant that being humble was the best way to make connections and maximize opportunities also occasionally had to prop up their son’s confidence.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
But graphic video released by the city later showed officers brutally beat Nichols and then failed to render aid as Nichols was propped up against a car.
—USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023
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Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Still, the most important playoff previews came courtesy of the Dodgers’ middle three hitters, who provided the kind of high-leverage production that can overcome pitching deficiencies, prop up an otherwise top-heavy lineup, and just maybe prolong the club’s upcoming postseason run.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2023
In other cases, carbon credit projects have been accused of propping up companies that also engage in less forest-friendly work elsewhere.
—WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
Outside of the comics themselves, both books feel lifeless, propped up, almost vaguely disrespectful.
—Gyasi Hall, Longreads, 12 Sep. 2023
That explains the President’s plan this week to spend billions to prop up union jobs in electric-car production that the government is forcing on auto makers.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2023
An inmate recalled seeing the virtuoso Gideon Klein playing a busted old piano that had been scavenged from the town and propped up on wooden blocks.
—Douglas Starr, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
That meant the parents who had taught Sturdivant that being humble was the best way to make connections and maximize opportunities also occasionally had to prop up their son’s confidence.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
But graphic video released by the city later showed officers brutally beat Nichols and then failed to render aid as Nichols was propped up against a car.
—USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prop up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prop up
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“Prop up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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