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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The addition of spoken word passages by local Geordie poet Cooper Robson, who drifts through balladic descriptions of community, working-class masculinity, and pickled onions, aids Knats in their explorations of their hometown.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
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Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal in the first degree.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Clover is often considered a weed, but a better way to think of a weed is a 'plant out of place,' because clover is used to improve soil quality, assists with erosion control and was previously added to lawn mixes, per the Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
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Dammon was able to obtain a grant from Trees Forever, an organization that assists with tree inventory, removal and planting.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Schools as a grassroots power base also helps explain why the people of Minneapolis were able to mount a disciplined and effective defense against ICE when its agents began kidnapping their children on their way to and from school.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Player of the Week Senior outside hitter Declan Garvey helps Lincoln-Way Central go 6-1 while also being named to the all-tournament team at the Lincoln-Way East Invitational.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstops. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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