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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The Raptors were aided by 36 free throw attempts (making 27), 21 offensive rebounds and 17 Cleveland turnovers.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Carter also co-founded a non-profit in his community called The Local Voice, which aided women fighting breast cancer.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Melton took an awkward step and went down, then scrambled back to the base and was assisted off the field.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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Eighth grader Destiny Cornelius, 15, saw the driver holding a nebulizer and helped administer the medication, while 13-year-old McKenzy Finch assisted.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, with Stanton presumably vacating the DH spot, the switch-hitting, defensively-subpar Domínguez, who is better from the left side, can help the Bombers against a string of right-handed starting pitchers.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Moon steadies Jupiter’s influence, helping practical decisions create emotional ease.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your browser does not support the video tag.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Zendaya − Holland's fiancée (or perhaps wife, if her longtime stylist Law Roach is to be believed) − also stopped by to support, in a stunning blue-and-white sundress.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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