assist

verb

as·sist | \ə-ˈsist

assisted; assisting; assists

Definition of assist

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give usually supplementary support or aid to She assisted the boy with his lessons.

intransitive verb

1 : to give support or aid assisted at the stove Another surgeon assisted on the operation.

2 : to be present as a spectator … the ideal figures assisting at Italian holy scenes.— Mary McCarthy

assist

noun

Definition of assist (Entry 2 of 2)

1 US : an act or action that helps someone : an act of assistance He wrote the story with an assist from a friend. [=with the help of a friend]

2 : the action (such as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout (as in baseball) or score a goal (as in basketball or hockey) also : official credit given for such an action was credited with 5 assists in the first half

3 : a mechanical or electromechanical device that provides assistance

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about assist

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Synonyms & Antonyms for assist

Synonyms: Verb

abet, aid, back, backstop, help, prop (up), support

Synonyms: Noun

abetment, aid, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms: Verb

hinder

Antonyms: Noun

hindrance

Examples of assist in a Sentence

Verb

The device assists those who can't climb stairs. The President was assisted by his advisers. She assisted the boy with his homework. Another doctor assisted him with the operation. Another doctor assisted with the operation. Federal agents are assisting with the investigation. She assisted in making the decision. The cream assists in the prevention of skin cancer.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Elon Musk is reportedly personally involved in testing out and debugging the advanced driver assist system, which uses a host of cameras and sensors to control the vehicle’s speed, braking, and steering. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Tesla’s Navigate on Autopilot is like Waze on steroids," 6 Nov. 2018 After acting as a faithful chauffeur to Lara Jean Covey and Kitty, Noah will now go undercover, acting as a valet who is secretly assisting the government. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Noah Centineo Will Play an Undercover Driver in His New Movie "Valet"," 5 Nov. 2018 Aquilina took her first job assisting then Michigan state senator John F. Kelly and later started her own family practice, Aquilina Law Firm. — Jason Schmidt, Glamour, "Judge Rosemarie Aquilina Isn’t Done Listening Yet," 30 Oct. 2018 These studies proved that music could lower blood pressure, decrease pulse rate and assists the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for digestion and some metabolic processes. — Nicole Dellert, Allure, "I Tried a Sound Bath — Here's What This Meditative Practice Is Really Like," 24 Oct. 2018 Kedley said the case soon became one of the largest of its kind in Iowa history, and FBI agents assisted in identifying, contacting and interviewing victims. — Fox News, "Victims of Iowa coach can still come forward, agent says," 23 Oct. 2018 Earlier this morning, Prince William hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the British divers and support staff who assisted in the Tham Luang cave rescue this past July. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Prince William Meets with British Divers Who Helped Rescue the Thai Boys Soccer Team from the Cave," 16 Oct. 2018 Many schools have also designed emergency response directives to help guide faculty, staff, RAs, peer counselors, and fellow students assist students in crisis. — Rose Minutaglio, Marie Claire, "When You Can’t Rely on Your College for the Mental Health Help You Need," 10 Oct. 2018 In just eight days, the family raised over $140,000 in support of Maleka, which will assist in covering medical and travel expenses. — Ashley Mcdonough, Essence.com, "GoFundMe Set Up For Family Of Atlanta Woman Killed In Bahamas Boat Accident On Her Anniversary Raises $140K," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Meanwhile, many bicycle makers — including Giant and Trek — are already offering e-bikes with pedal assist, which help the rider pedal faster for longer distances, minimizing fatigue. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "GM is now making e-bikes, and it needs your help naming them," 2 Nov. 2018 Hyundai has crammed the Nexo with the latest and greatest advanced driver assists, including a remote parking tool that appears to work well enough to be useful. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2019 Hyundai Nexo is an upmarket hydrogen fuel-cell SUV," 26 Oct. 2018 With their straight edges and sturdy construction, business cards make for a great assist on the journey to an expert-level wing. — SELF, "5 Eyeliner Hacks That Helped Me Nail a Perfect Cat-Eye," 12 Oct. 2018 Burke earned another shot in the league by scoring 12.8 points per game with 4.7 assists and a .503 shooting percentage in 36 games with a bad Knicks team this season. — Nat Newell, Indianapolis Star, "2013 NBA draft: Oladipo went No. 2, Zeller No. 4; when they should have been picked," 27 June 2018 Valk spent the vast majority of the season with AHL affiliate Springfield, leading the Thunderbirds with 42 assists and 62 points. — Matthew Defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Five restricted free agents receive qualifying offers from Panthers," 26 June 2018 Between Two Ferns Is Back with Jerry Seinfeld and Cardi B Funny or Die Cardi B with the assist! — Jaya Saxena, GQ, "Between Two Ferns Is Back with Jerry Seinfeld and Cardi B," 14 June 2018 Chelsea Gray added 10 points with seven assists for Los Angeles (6-2). — Houston Chronicle, "Cy-Fair product Nneka Ogwumike turns in double-double in Sparks' win," 13 June 2018 Napier has played in 233 games in his career and averaged 5.7 points and 1.9 assists. — Staff Report, courant.com, "Report: Former UConn Star Shabazz Napier Signs With Nets," 14 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for assist

Verb

Middle French or Latin; Middle French assister to help, stand by, from Latin assistere, from ad- + sistere to cause to stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

Noun

see assist entry 1

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