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
European allies are working on options for a multinational security force that could backstop a peace deal.
—
Jasmine Baehr , Liz Friden, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Kyiv’s European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement, and a coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan and Australia, has signed up to support the initiative.
—Sam McNeil, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
That's why, on Friday, the Red Sox claimed 28-year-old Toronto Blue Jays backstop Ali Sanchez off the waiver wire.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Swanson will gravitate toward Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, MLB’s home run leader, and Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Jasmine Baehr , Liz Friden, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Kyiv’s European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement, and a coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan and Australia, has signed up to support the initiative.
—Sam McNeil, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
That's why, on Friday, the Red Sox claimed 28-year-old Toronto Blue Jays backstop Ali Sanchez off the waiver wire.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Swanson will gravitate toward Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, MLB’s home run leader, and Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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Photos from the scene show several police cars and fire trucks outside the American Fish Company as first responders aided the injured.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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There have been a lot of calls for arms embargoes and a halt to aid for Israel.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is assisting the City of Southport Police Department, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, in investigating the shooting.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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Detectives, assisted by Worlds of Fun security, later determined that the noise was actually fireworks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That helps addressUSA give buyers and sellers a deeper, more accurate view of a home’s true value.—
Mary Beth Eastman,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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And in Georgia, aggressive roll maintenance and steady Republican registration drives have helped the GOP blunt Democrats’ earlier gains and remain competitive in statewide contests.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Smotrich demanded there be no agreement on Palestinian Authority or Qatari involvement in Gazan governance, nor anything that supports the concept of a future independent Palestinian state.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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The Patriots' defense has been solid, holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards in each of their first three games, but the offense must improve to support the defense.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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