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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Recent Examples of backstop
Larry Ellison, one of the world’s richest men, personally agreed to backstop the equity in Par’s latest offer to address WBD’s concerns.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
In part to brace for that volatility, Pritzker has ordered agencies to reserve up to 4% of their general funds in the current $55 billion budget and worked with lawmakers to create a special fund to backstop programs hit by federal cuts.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Trump has suggested on social media that America would help to backstop any investments.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Google will backstop Fluidstack’s lease payments, underscoring Big Tech’s role in de-risking these projects.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
In part to brace for that volatility, Pritzker has ordered agencies to reserve up to 4% of their general funds in the current $55 billion budget and worked with lawmakers to create a special fund to backstop programs hit by federal cuts.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Trump has suggested on social media that America would help to backstop any investments.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Google will backstop Fluidstack’s lease payments, underscoring Big Tech’s role in de-risking these projects.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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The alteration was discovered in a copy of the Book of the Dead (a tome filled with spells meant to aid the dead in their passage to the afterlife) that is believed to have been commissioned for a royal archive supervisor named Rambose.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Mar. 2026
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Beatrice, the glue to the ‘Newsnight’ setup, aided camaraderie and a relaxed positive vibe.—
Janelle Ash , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Brazil’s government announced emergency measures including a national task force to execute arrest warrants, electronic tracking for aggressors and mobile units assisting women experiencing violence.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Kurashev assisted on Kiefer Sherwood’s third-period game-winning goal in the Sharks’ 7-5 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Russell Westbrook has 25 points, a career-high 20 assists and 11 rebounds to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Clippers 120-108.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The deal comes a week after the Swiss company made a firm bid for specialty insurer Beazley Plc and started a $5 billion capital raise to help finance the transaction.—
Sonia Sirletti,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mahan, who recently entered the race and is supported by Silicon Valley leaders, has quickly raised millions of dollars, as have two independent expenditures committees backing his bid.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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According to a preliminary survey conducted by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) this week, 81% of the Israeli public supports the Iran strikes, while 63% of those surveyed believe the campaign should continue until the Iranian regime falls.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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