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
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Recent Examples of backstops
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
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstops
Verb
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While the idea that fat aids the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients is well established, the Missouri study provides additional detail specific to kale.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Dec. 2025
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Monitoring patients’ progress also aids the organization in tracking whether treatments are effective and potentially stepping in to discuss altering treatment plans with their providers if needed.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That work includes Veterans Bridge Home, which assists military members in transitioning to civilian life, and the NFL Salute to Service program with the Carolina Panthers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 July 2025
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Peyton Knight, a marketing executive at Ladder and founder of Last Digital, which assists companies in managing their social media presence, says the financial anxiety has contributed to a decline in trust between followers and content creators.—
Kristian Monroe,
NPR,
16 July 2025
Verb
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The head is brown to black and has several ivory to yellowish spots, which helps separate it from its native counterpart, the smoke-tree sharpshooter.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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The funding comes from California’s Senate Bill 1 program, the gas tax passed in 2017 that helps cities and counties pay for transportation projects.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstops. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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