safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For many of the expats who make up the UAE’s workforce, the traditional financial safety nets found in parts of Europe are less extensive. — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students’ rights. — Claire Sibonney, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Amid competing global crises and shifting donor priorities, that safety net is fraying. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Today’s Maine story Today, STAT kicked off Daniel Payne’s five-part series exploring the consequences of Republicans’ unprecedented cuts to the health care safety net. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for safety net

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

Rhymes for safety net

See All Rhymes for safety net

Browse Nearby Words

safety match
safety net
safety nut
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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