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
In an email shared with the Herald Friday night, a spokesperson for Kraft Sports & Entertainment emphasized that Kraft Group has agreed to backstop the entire amount requested.
—
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
This hasn’t been his best season, but based on the film and his body of work, Bobrovsky is as likely as any goalie in the league to backstop a team to a deep playoff run.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The federal government should backstop and, in some cases, override state decisions which are bad for children, families and teachers.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would backstop the teams that elected to cut ties with their RSNs.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
This hasn’t been his best season, but based on the film and his body of work, Bobrovsky is as likely as any goalie in the league to backstop a team to a deep playoff run.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The federal government should backstop and, in some cases, override state decisions which are bad for children, families and teachers.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would backstop the teams that elected to cut ties with their RSNs.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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Hill gave credit to the coaches for aiding in the preparation against San Diego’s lefties.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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But the die-off occurred as restoration work was already underway on nearly 15,000 north shore acres the state acquired at a cost of $100 million to aid the lake’s recovery.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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These investments aren’t driven by the altruistic goal of ocean conservation—but this work still enables a better understanding of the ocean, perhaps assisting conservation as a positive side-effect.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
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Olivia Moultrie became the youngest player in league history to make 100 NWSL appearances and capped it off with a goal and assist in the Portland Thorns’ 2-0 victory over the Chicago Stars at Martin Stadium in Evanston.—
Phuoc Nguyen,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Alegría credited the pair’s experienced producing partners with helping guide them through the most unfamiliar process of preparing for the final cut and getting ready for the marketing, press, distribution conversations with Amazon as well as FilmNation.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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As pressure builds between Mars and Jupiter, quick reactions won’t help.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Several players supported the club’s decision.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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According to the complaint, detectives attributed statements to Hardin suggesting the killing was part of a ritual, despite no independent evidence to support that claim.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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