prop up
phrasal verb
propped up; propping up; props up
1
: to stop (something) from falling or slipping by placing something under or against it
We propped up the beams with long boards.
propped the plant stems up
2
: to give help, encouragement, or support to (someone)
His faith propped him up in times of crisis.
Examples of prop up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For now, the skeleton of a female humpback whale is laid out on the floor of the lighthouse, and three canoes are propped up in one wing of the old building.
—
John Bartlett, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
The conspicuously huge lettering is propped up in the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains and greets all who approach Hollywood.
—Clara Westhoff, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
Unseen but crucial, undersea cables prop up internet services and communications, as well as many other aspects of daily life often taken for granted.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The memory foam construction is incredibly supportive, propping up your head and neck to avoid sitting at odd angles, and the modal blend pillow cover is soft and gentle against your skin (not to mention machine washable!).
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prop up 
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John Bartlett, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
The conspicuously huge lettering is propped up in the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains and greets all who approach Hollywood.
—Clara Westhoff, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
Unseen but crucial, undersea cables prop up internet services and communications, as well as many other aspects of daily life often taken for granted.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The memory foam construction is incredibly supportive, propping up your head and neck to avoid sitting at odd angles, and the modal blend pillow cover is soft and gentle against your skin (not to mention machine washable!).
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prop up
Dictionary Entries Near prop up
Cite this Entry
“Prop up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop%20up. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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