prop up

phrasal verb

propped up; propping up; props up
1
: to stop (something) from falling or slipping by placing something under or against it
We propped up the beams with long boards.
propped the plant stems up
2
: to give help, encouragement, or support to (someone)
His faith propped him up in times of crisis.

Examples of prop up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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And the community pool was full of a green algae bloom, while the nearby lookout point over the valley was covered in sandbags propped up for sniper positions. Jack Nicas, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024 The event traces back to old carpenters centuries ago, who burned the pieces of wood used to prop up their winter lights at the arrival of spring. Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024 If sudden inspiration strikes that needs to be shared, there’s a 300-square-inch dry-erase board in the back that can be propped up for impromptu meetings or demonstrations. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024 Warding off the evening cold with a fire, the guards give voice to widespread anti-Iran sentiment in Syria, as more and more crimes of the regime – for so long propped up by Iran – are revealed each day. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prop up 

Dictionary Entries Near prop up

Cite this Entry

“Prop up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop%20up. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

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