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
As is normal in our current system, additional firefighters from outside the local area arrived to backstop the initial responders when they were exhausted after their 24- or 48-hour shifts.
—
Jay Balagna, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
European powers, therefore, will need to ramp up their investments in European defense industries to credibly backstop any security guarantees offered to Ukraine.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2024
Initially, experts from major reinsurance companies that backstop the insurance industry had predicted the potential of $3 billion to $6 billion in damages before the hurricane landed.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Half of the proceeds will be used to backstop local governments, while the other half will encourage spending by households and businesses.
—Nick Sargen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Jay Balagna, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
European powers, therefore, will need to ramp up their investments in European defense industries to credibly backstop any security guarantees offered to Ukraine.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2024
Initially, experts from major reinsurance companies that backstop the insurance industry had predicted the potential of $3 billion to $6 billion in damages before the hurricane landed.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Half of the proceeds will be used to backstop local governments, while the other half will encourage spending by households and businesses.
—Nick Sargen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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The investigation was aided by a confidential informant — one of Gonzalez’s former friends who got busted, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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To help aid this process, Chelsea Women are now operating independently from the men’s team and appointed Aki Mandhar, formerly of The Athletic, as their first-ever dedicated CEO.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Gaps in adult care To better assist young people in the community, the commissioners approved new positions to establish a youth crisis stabilization center last February, according to the county’s briefing sheet.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
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Those would be similar to those in NATO’s Article 5, under which all members are obliged to assist an attacked nation.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This helps put big companies and small companies on a level playing field.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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In the face of the Cavs’ potent three-guard attack of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Ty Jerome, Herro needed more reps on the ball to help Miami’s offense keep up.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Survivors and community members at Florida State University came together to grieve and support each other at a vigil that drew thousands after two people were killed and more were injured in an April 17 campus shooting.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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This helps centers maximize resource recovery and supports the transition to a circular economy.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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