1
as in supporter
a person who actively supports or favors a cause
backers of prison reform held a rally in front of the statehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sponsor
a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing
all financial backers will be expected to offer some input into the company's decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ally
someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support
the student's backers spoke at the school board meeting on her behalf
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 backer
Charter school backers, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and philanthropist Eli Broad, spent around $23 million on efforts to boost his campaign.
—
Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Early backers can secure the mower at a special crowdfunding price of US$899.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
Even Republican backers of the war agree with him on that.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Some backers of the permit cited the potential boost to the local economy.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
But the push for financial backers was just one of three major boxes on FDFC’s checklist, Dunmore says.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, Cryptio’s backers believe the startup has an edge.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
The district teeters on the edge of insolvency in the face of a mayor and his main backer, the Chicago Teachers Union, staunchly opposed to consolidating any schools even though a third of them are at less than half their student capacity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Early backers can secure the mower at a special crowdfunding price of US$899.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
Even Republican backers of the war agree with him on that.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Some backers of the permit cited the potential boost to the local economy.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
But the push for financial backers was just one of three major boxes on FDFC’s checklist, Dunmore says.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, Cryptio’s backers believe the startup has an edge.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
The district teeters on the edge of insolvency in the face of a mayor and his main backer, the Chicago Teachers Union, staunchly opposed to consolidating any schools even though a third of them are at less than half their student capacity.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backer
Noun
-
Talarico has been an ardent supporter of expanding legal gambling during his tenure in the Texas legislature.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Politics has long been a passion for Iger, a longtime supporter of Democrats, but a consideration of a presidential run last decade ended abruptly when the exec brought the prospect up with Bay.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The purpose of an early debate is to help Californians evaluate a still-developing field, not to let academics and media sponsors freeze the race before most people start paying attention.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
For the last year, Schiff worked to gather sponsors in Congress for a federal production incentive that layers on top of state-level subsidies.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
VanDiver said Paktyawal is not the only Afghan ally of American service members to be picked up by ICE.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The board also voted to install Matt Floca as CEO and executive director, replacing Trump ally Richard Grenell, who oversaw far-reaching changes at the venue that prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated the operation's financial challenges.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And like in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, this war seems unlikely to turn out quite as its proponents may hope.—
Fareed Zakaria,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The measure’s proponents say the measure would help free up funds in the county budget for other services.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Soon patrons will be able to walk around the South Downtown Entertainment District with a drink in hand, thanks to a city ordinance exemption passed by the Atlanta City Council on Monday.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The only way that model works is if it’s funded by donors and patrons.—
Daren Smith,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rae Huang, a pastor and housing advocate, will also appear on the ballot.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
McGiffert, the patient safety advocate, urged consumers to check multiple sources when evaluating a hospital or other health system.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backer. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
