backstops

verb

present tense third-person singular of backstop
as in aids
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 backstops In a systemic crisis, Congressional appropriation—taxpayer money—backstops that fund. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 19 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstops
  1. aids
  2. assists
  3. helps
Verb
  • This step introduces air into the eggs, which aids in leavening and keeps the blondies from baking up too dense.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The absence of the SLC women and their tension with Barlow aids the convivial atmosphere, but Lisa isn’t completely safe from a whacking.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of aids
Verb
  • Uribe was based at the Mather National Guard facility near Rancho Cordova and served as a member of the state Counterdrug Task Force, a unit that assists local, tribal and federal law enforcement entities in combating drug traffickers.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Her dad builds custom houses, while her mom assists, mainly working on the interior design aspect.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of assists
Verb
  • Jackson supports expanding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps certain homeowners and renters with energy costs.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Intelligence provided by the US and other partners helps Ukraine defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks by providing the locations of missile launchers as well as data on where the strikes are heading, and when.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of helps

Browse Nearby Words

backstopping
backstops
backstreet
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Cite this Entry

“Backstops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstops. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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