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
Some analysts advocate for full privatization, meaning the government would not provide assurances to backstop the two mortgage companies.
—
Samantha Delouya, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
In the medium to long term, the EU will need to overhaul its defense capabilities and industry if Europe is to meaningfully backstop its own security.
—Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024
Under my system, the United States would still backstop the continent’s security by providing a nuclear umbrella and deploying its naval resources.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
At the August trade deadline, the team’s president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, loaded up on bullpen arms to backstop the starting rotation that was built for fall, but damaged or missing over the summer.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Samantha Delouya, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
In the medium to long term, the EU will need to overhaul its defense capabilities and industry if Europe is to meaningfully backstop its own security.
—Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024
Under my system, the United States would still backstop the continent’s security by providing a nuclear umbrella and deploying its naval resources.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
At the August trade deadline, the team’s president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, loaded up on bullpen arms to backstop the starting rotation that was built for fall, but damaged or missing over the summer.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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Body cameras also aid in training, improve policies and encourage de-escalation by promoting professional behavior.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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Scientists think that the endogenous opioid system evolved, in part, to push animals toward behaviors that aided the species’ survival.—
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Now, as Liverpool chase a second Premier League title, the forward is in prime position to take Henry and De Bruyne’s season assists record.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Besides offering up some sage knowledge to the team’s young core, Seth Curry’s presence also assists the Hornets in other ways, with court spacing being right at the very top of the list.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Porter won’t be around to help when the next wildfire flares up.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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The series proved to be incredibly popular upon its debut and helped popularize single-camera comedies on television.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For example, the USDA invested about $6.6 billion to support rural development between 2017 and 2021, but only about $138 million went to tribal communities.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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While other counties support their justice systems with smaller checks for initiatives like jail diversion programs, Mecklenburg County pays for jobs — prosecutors, clerks and more.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to backstop
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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