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
The sidelining of the European Union and the United Kingdom — who have funneled more than $160 billion in aid and military equipment to Ukraine since February 2022 — has fueled fears that the region can no longer rely on the US to backstop its security.
—
Anna Cooban, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Anna Cooban, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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On Monday, a federal judge declined to block the Internal Revenue Service from sharing some kinds of immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to aid deportation efforts.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
13 May 2025
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This knowledge aids in making informed decisions regarding property positioning, tenant demographics, and competitive strategies. • Technology Integration: Utilizing modern property management and asset management software can enhance efficiency, accuracy and data analysis.—
Jesse Sasomsup,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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While the State Department's long-standing program to assist refugees during their first months in the U.S. has been halted due to Mr. Trump's actions, his administration has instructed resettlement officials to use Department of Health and Human Services funds to aid the Afrikaners.—
May 9,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
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The revelation that China is assisting the Houthis, a Yemeni terrorist group that has been stymying the movement of goods throughout the Red Sea, has been interpreted in various ways.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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By continuously observing and analyzing these data, these systems generate personalized interventions designed to help users manage times of mental strain.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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To partially offset the lost revenue, Republicans propose repealing or phasing out more quickly the clean energy tax credits passed during Joe Biden’s presidency, helping to bring down the overall cost of the tax portion to about $3.8 trillion.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Brown gathered prominent African-American voices, primarily star athletes, to discuss and ultimately support heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali's refusal, a month earlier, to enter the Vietnam War draft.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The healthcare team focuses on keeping the person comfortable and supporting their needs.1 Below is a quick overview of the differences between hospice and palliative care.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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