BACKSTOP Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

backstop

verb

Definition of backstop

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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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 backstop In an email shared with the Herald Friday night, a spokesperson for Kraft Sports & Entertainment emphasized that Kraft Group has agreed to backstop the entire amount requested. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026 The Ellison Guarantee refers to Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee to backstop the Warners deal for his son, should any other equity deals fall through. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 As of Tuesday morning, Langeliers led his head-to-head voting matchup with Toronto Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk with 66% of the vote, MLB announced. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Senior goalkeeper Giada McGlynn backstops a defense led by juniors Payton Cable, Sophia Duncan and Kasey Glynn and sophomore Sahana Raju. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backstop

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop

Verb

The league also will implant contact-sensing computer chips in each basketball to aid officials with out-of-bounds replays.

— Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
When Martín is kidnapped by a monster, Cleo ventures into the jungle to rescue him, aided by an elderly witch and a naughty anteater.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 July 2026

Definition of aid

Verb

Advocates say the funds would help build more than 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes that are unable to move forward because of a financing gap and help preserve thousands of other existing units.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of help

Verb

During a 2019-20 artist residency with New York City’s Department of Records and Information Services, Weist mined municipal archives for records revealing how city government had defined, supported and monitored past artists.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Developed by L3Harris Technologies under the Combat Mission Systems Support framework, the system will be operated by the command's Space Delta 3 (DEL 3) – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, with acquisition and sustainment supported by System Delta 89.

— David Szondy July 06, New Atlas, 7 July 2026

Definition of support

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backstairs

backstop

backstopped

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“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of backstop

verb

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