BACKER Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

backer

noun

Definition of backer

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

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

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 Speed camera backers also dispute that these programs are intended to raise revenues. — Joel Rose, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 OpenAI's financial backers were surprised by Dresser's announcement, according to two current investors, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely on the matter. — Ashley Capoot,kate Rooney, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 At present, Ukraine and its Western backers support an immediate cease-fire and subsequent peace talks, while Moscow, viewing military pressure on Kyiv as its most effective source of leverage, wants a political settlement before any cease-fire. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 Turkey is the main foreign backer of Dbeibah's government, but in recent years has also reached out to the rival authorities in eastern Libya in an attempt to mend their ties, and as part of regional efforts to unify the North African country. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Others include Todd Boehly, Boehly’s Eldridge Industries, Magic Johnson and a handful of other backers with much smaller stakes. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Shasta County Superior Court Judge Benjamin Hanna agreed on both counts, saying the measures’ backers were unlikely to succeed at a full trial. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The disparity was even higher among outside groups, with Craig backers spending considerably more, though both have benefited from an influx of outside spending. — CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Those reactors began making power in 2023 and 2024 ‒ a long and costly timeline that Natrium's backers cite as evidence their new reactor will better serve Americans. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backer

Noun

Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
It was drafted with tenant input and by a diverse coalition of community supporters.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Burnley have terminated the agreement with their front-of-shirt sponsor Finotive One on the eve of the 2026-27 Championship campaign.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The legislation appears to have a strong path to passage, with a more-than-two-thirds supermajority of co-sponsors in the 51-member council.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sponsor

Noun

The record labels’ personas and allies clashed in what came to be known as the battle between the East and West Coast rap worlds.

— Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Iran has become significantly more aggressive in its attacks on ships in recent weeks, and its Houthi allies have done the same in the Red Sea.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ally

Noun

On Monday, the act gained its highest-profile proponent yet when New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his support for the legislation.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Andrew Sweetman, the Scottish marine biogeochemist who led the work, hadn’t made such claims, but he was still pilloried by fellow-scientists, and proponents of mining accused him of being an anti-mining crusader.

— James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

Some of those exiting patrons made their way to hotels that saw a 25% revenue bump between the World Cup and Sail Boston.

— Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The City Council on Thursday passed legislation that would allow restaurants to put up heated, tent-like structures for patrons to dine outside when the mercury drops.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of patron

Noun

Some of us assist in delivery rooms, some of us administer medications, some of us advocate for our patients to insurance companies to make sure lifesaving is covered.

— Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Banks, the first saxophonist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Award, is a tireless advocate for his instrument in the classical world.

— Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026