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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backstop
Trump has suggested on social media that America would help to backstop any investments.
—
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Google will backstop Fluidstack’s lease payments, underscoring Big Tech’s role in de-risking these projects.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Williams was looking for feedback on the Fed’s use of a standing repo facility, a permanent lending tool that can backstop markets, per the report.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
More nuclear power could help backstop renewables and displace coal.
—Brad Plumer, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Google will backstop Fluidstack’s lease payments, underscoring Big Tech’s role in de-risking these projects.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025
Williams was looking for feedback on the Fed’s use of a standing repo facility, a permanent lending tool that can backstop markets, per the report.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
More nuclear power could help backstop renewables and displace coal.
—Brad Plumer, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstop
Verb
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The tool largely works to integrate a dealerships specific needs into its system and create AI agents that complete tasks to aid the employees.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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Hoda Kotb returned to the Today show, filling in this morning for Savannah Guthrie as the anchor continues to aid the search for her mother, Nancy, who was allegedly kidnapped.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In an interview with Time later in 2025, Williams denied that her appearance was designed to assist Lamar in dissing Drake.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The technology could also improve performance in collaborative tasks that require physical contact, such as object handling, assisted mobility devices, and service robotics, by allowing robots to continuously adjust grip and contact force during interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Elsa Lemmila scored a career-high 23 points to help Ohio State beat Oregon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Training and case management through FRAP is supposed to help attorneys deal with what Clegg calls a difficult area of law.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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My job is to keep our mission, vision, and commitment to impact front and center and to make sure our staff feel supported and able to stay focused on the work.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Trump supported Milei’s fiscal program last year with a $20-billion credit line that succeeded in calming markets and boosting Milei’s prospects in a crucial midterm election in October.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstop. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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