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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backstop
Initially, experts from major reinsurance companies that backstop the insurance industry had predicted the potential of $3 billion to $6 billion in damages before the hurricane landed.
—
Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The United States should continue to backstop the security of its allies, thereby sustaining the region’s balance of power and building its actors’ confidence in the pursuit of regional security arrangements.
—Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2020
Kellogg would not confirm that as part of a peace agreement the U.S. would backstop any European peacekeeping forces by providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
—Sophia Barkoff, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
Indeed, data from JPMorgan underscores that purported disconnect: The bank’s latest report indicates that small-scale traders have continued to backstop the U.S. equity market — even as AAII’s survey flashes warning signs from this group.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The United States should continue to backstop the security of its allies, thereby sustaining the region’s balance of power and building its actors’ confidence in the pursuit of regional security arrangements.
—Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2020
Kellogg would not confirm that as part of a peace agreement the U.S. would backstop any European peacekeeping forces by providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
—Sophia Barkoff, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
Indeed, data from JPMorgan underscores that purported disconnect: The bank’s latest report indicates that small-scale traders have continued to backstop the U.S. equity market — even as AAII’s survey flashes warning signs from this group.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
-
Both artists earmarked the royalties from the song to aid the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention organization.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
7 Apr. 2025
-
On Friday, Adams and Duffy went underground, boarding the BQE line in Brooklyn and riding the subway into Manhattan alongside NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta as the federal government vows to aid the city with its crime prevention.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Modern technology assists with navigation, but there’s no substitute for a pilot’s local knowledge.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Morongo Fire Department is assisting with one engine.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Federal programs enacted during the Biden Administration, like the Inflation Reduction Act, have helped boost the country’s advanced manufacturing footprint.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
For example, whenever one of the kids had a spelling bee, everyone in the car would help recite the words.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The organization supports the youth of St. Thomas through basketball mentorships.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The survey, conducted in late March among 1,500 voters, found that, while 83% of Democrats support financial assistance to Kyiv, 79% of Republicans oppose it.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share