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
Longtime Pirates backstop Jason Kendall did it the most — 463 times — while Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus tried a handful of times during his 18-year career.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Some commentators don’t like the idea of potentially using taxpayer funds to backstop the price of crypto, a speculative digital asset with limited (some would say nonexistent) underlying value.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
Some commentators don’t like the idea of potentially using taxpayer funds to backstop the price of crypto, a speculative digital asset with limited (some would say nonexistent) underlying value.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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She was aided on the DeLeon groundout by a spectacular play by Karlie Davison at second base, who laid out to field the ball and made a strong throw to beat the runner to first.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
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On May 22, a third woman was charged for aiding two of the 10 inmates who escaped from the jail known as the Orleans Justice Center, according to police.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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At first, caring for her mom meant reminding her to turn off the stove after cooking and assisting with the laundry.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Officials allege Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker, assisted the inmates in the escape, shutting off water to a toilet and sink inside a cell that were later ripped out by the inmates who then escaped through the hole in the wall, according to USA Today, BBC, and CBS News.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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As the Hall of Fame notes, the group was heavily influenced by Black musician Lesley Riddle, who helped A.P. with songs and taught Maybelle his guitar style.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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As Outside previously reported, this kind of movement helps improve blood flow, increase heart rate, and improve coordination and control.—
Alyssa Ages,
Outside Online,
27 May 2025
Verb
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But Andrea Jenkins, who represents the area and supports the city's plan, said residents around the square want vehicle traffic.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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Amanda Hollins: With 15 years in law enforcement, Hollins’s vision for Kennedale includes strengthening community infrastructure, supporting local businesses, enhancing organizational efficiency, empowering future leaders, and advocating for ethical leadership.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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