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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Recent Examples of backstop
The Trump administration’s hesitance to backstop Ukrainian and European security may be the jolt the EU needs to commit to working with Turkey.
—
Mustafa Kutlay, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
The White House has also insisted that Ukraine hold new presidential elections, and refused to field U.S. troops in Ukraine or backstop any peace plan that would require U.S. security guarantees.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2025
France and the United Kingdom, meanwhile, will need to think hard about how their nuclear forces can backstop the continent’s conventional forces in an independent European deterrence strategy.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, Trevino is poised to backstop a promising young Reds team that has hopes of returning to the postseason under new manager Terry Francona — and will stick around beyond this season.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Mustafa Kutlay, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
The White House has also insisted that Ukraine hold new presidential elections, and refused to field U.S. troops in Ukraine or backstop any peace plan that would require U.S. security guarantees.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2025
France and the United Kingdom, meanwhile, will need to think hard about how their nuclear forces can backstop the continent’s conventional forces in an independent European deterrence strategy.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, Trevino is poised to backstop a promising young Reds team that has hopes of returning to the postseason under new manager Terry Francona — and will stick around beyond this season.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who is associated with the Gaza Tribunal, admitted to conspiring to aid the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in 2006.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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To aid in future operation and prevent your window from getting stuck again, apply a spray lubricant, such as silicone spray, to the tracks.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Some 75% of all global deliveries are now assisted in some way by robots, the company said.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Among those assisting are search teams and emergency crews from Mexico, who have joined overwhelmed local responders in searching for the missing and helping clean up devastated communities.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Reducing your carb intake can help lessen blood sugar spikes.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
14 July 2025
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Goodall’s research on chimpanzees helped revolutionize how the world viewed primates and humanity.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Editor's note: Travel and accommodations for this article were partially supported by Tourism New Brunswick.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
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Trump supported the idea of releasing details about Epstein's associates during the 2024 presidential campaign.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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