backing 1 of 2

noun

ˈba-kiŋ How to pronounce backing (audio)
Definition of backingnext
1
as in support
an act or instance of helping the teacher's backing on the science project was invaluable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsorship
the financial support and general guidance for an undertaking the museum exhibition would not have been possible without corporate backing

Synonyms & Similar Words

backing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of back
1
as in endorsing
to promote the interests or cause of she enthusiastically backed the plan to renovate and upgrade the school's facilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assisting
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end a number of influential people have already agreed to back the candidate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reinforcing
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) the author needs to back her thesis with more facts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 backing
Noun
The two-person race now pits establishment backing and tens of millions in outside spending for Stevens against El-Sayed’s union support and grassroots energy, exposing Democratic rifts over big money, Israel and political change. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Those bills have repeatedly failed, and their sponsors say little will change without the governor’s backing. — Spencer Norris, ProPublica, 9 July 2026
Verb
But currently, there’s no research backing this up, says Gray. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 Soon, Jones was playing trumpet in the Bumps Blackwell Junior Band and backing Billie Holiday. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for backing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing
  1. support
  2. sponsorship
  3. endorsing
  4. assisting
  5. reinforcing
  6. assistance
  7. patronage
  8. advocating
Noun
  • Corlys, one of few characters on the show who has survived long enough to ask for a favor in return for his service, shares his plan with Rhaenyra, asking her earnestly for public support from the crown.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Ukraine is expected to be central in Ankara, with debate focused on long-term military support, Kyiv’s own defense industry and what NATO can learn from the country after more than four years of full-scale war.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Stripping the terrorism sponsorship designation would significantly benefit al-Sharaa’s government.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
  • Nordic combined, a smaller discipline without the same sponsorship appeal or medal expectations, has largely remained outside that spotlight.
    — Nethumi Kannangara, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of sponsorship
Verb
  • This is all moving quickly, but Sanders’ decision not to follow Shah in endorsing a more contested, open replacement fight may allow his critics to gain the high ground.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 July 2026
  • He’s been known to blow up legislation, make surprise nominations, rage-post about sitting Republican lawmakers and retaliate by endorsing their primary opponents.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of endorsing
Verb
  • There were 407 traffic stops and 144 traffic services, which includes debris removal, assisting with disabled or hazardous motor vehicles, according to state police on Friday.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 July 2026
  • No one was ever charged with pulling the trigger, but three other men, Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 37, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, were charged with murder as accomplices for encouraging or assisting the shooter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of assisting
Verb
  • Doctors in other parts of Venezuela and abroad have stepped up to volunteer for telehealth services, while other aid groups have focused on reinforcing primary care providers and mobile clinics.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 8 July 2026
  • Yet rather than reinforcing Gatorade’s performance credentials, the sponsorship has positioned the brand at the centre of debates around commercialization.
    — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of reinforcing
Noun
  • Those include grocery vouchers, housing vouchers for those who elect to relocate during cleanup, air purifiers, cash assistance and support for utility bills.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources said it’s received a steady number of SNAP applications, which reflects demand for assistance, but recipients are declining.
    — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Harry is also set to undertake visits to patronages like WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • Harry also gave up his patronage of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, while Meghan surrendered her patronage of the Royal National Theatre, which her grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, handed down to her.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Definition of patronage
Verb
  • Ricke stressed that the paper is not advocating for geoengineering.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • The author concludes by urging Americans not to confuse current challenges with a fundamental decline, advocating for faith in the nation's enduring ideals.
    — Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of advocating

Browse Nearby Words

backhands
backing
backing away
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Cite this Entry

“Backing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backing

Nglish: Translation of backing for Spanish Speakers

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