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
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would backstop the teams that elected to cut ties with their RSNs.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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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Make sure to coat the dish all over with oil (a pastry brush helps) to aid in the browning and unmolding.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Even the wood of the barrels, the surrounding lime aided its conservation impressively.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Viktor Arvidsson, who assisted on all three regulation goals and is proving to be a fantastic acquisition, beat Greaves on a backhander to cash the two highly improbable points.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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The spa also offers an array of signature treatments worth exploring—from wellness rituals (like the Signature Bamford Treatment, which includes a footbath, massage, and assisted yogic breathing) to body rituals (mud baths, sauna wraps) and facials (including a luxurious 24K gold option).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Going to a local bike shop instead of buying online can help, enabling riders to ask questions, take a test ride and learn what’s legal and what isn’t.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Liba helped create a WhatsApp group that allowed participants to engage in critical dialogue about Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The city manager is also evaluating whether the current site could support private development.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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These oils are rich in naturally occurring aromatic compounds that support relaxation, focus, skin cleansing and even natural home cleaning.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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