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respaldar

to back

verb rreh-spahl-DAHR Less Common

Also means

to support

Usage Note

Respaldar literally means 'to back' (from espalda, back/spine) and figuratively 'to support or endorse.' The reflexive respaldarse en means 'to rely on' or 'to lean on' (Se respaldó en la ley — He relied on the law). The related noun respaldo means both the backrest of a chair and support/backing in an abstract sense.

Examples

"El partido respaldó al candidato oficial."

Natural Translation

The party backed the official candidate.

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