safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The notion of sketch comedy, of all things, as a guide to life, that its lack of a safety net is a metaphor for how to live, is niche and peculiar. Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025 The journey back to self-worth or financial stability can take years, especially without institutional or familial safety nets. Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 This support has not only provided a safety net but also empowered them to take on more. Essence, 19 Sep. 2025 Set up a new account and start with a $200 bonus or a $1,000 safety net bet. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for safety net

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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