support

1 of 2

verb

sup·port sə-ˈpȯrt

supported; supporting; supports

transitive verb

: to endure bravely or quietly : bear

a(1)

: to promote the interests or cause of

(2)

: to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate

supports fair play

(3)

: to argue or vote for

supported the motion to lower taxes

b(1)

: assist, help

bombers supported the ground troops

(2)

: to act with (a star actor)

(3)

: to bid in bridge so as to show support for

: to provide with substantiation : corroborate

support an alibi

: to pay the costs of : maintain

support a family

: to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of

the island could probably support three

A. B. C. Whipple

support a habit

: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for

: to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans

also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans

: to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort

: to keep (something) going

supportability

sə-ˌpȯr-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

supportable

sə-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl

adjective

supportive

sə-ˈpȯr-tiv

adjective

supportiveness

sə-ˈpȯr-tiv-nəs

noun

support

2 of 2

noun

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

: assistance provided by a company to users of its products

customer support

: one that supports

—often used attributively

a support staff

: sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit

Choose the Right Synonym for support

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

Example Sentences

Verb I completely support your decision to stay. She no longer supports the war. The senator says that he supports the proposed legislation. Which presidential candidate do you support? The study is supported by the American Medical Association. The country's citizens were asked to support the war effort. Her friends supported her by signing her petition. The charity supports needy families. Bombers were called in to support the ground troops. The planet's atmosphere cannot support human life. Noun The team gets a lot of support from its fans. I'd like to thank my parents for all of their love and support over the years. He depended on his wife for emotional support. He applied for financial support from the state. the company's friendly support staff Inspectors found that some of the bridge's supports were weak. She used my arm as a support and limped to the chair. These sneakers are designed to give your feet extra support. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are no credible reports that support the claim.

Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2022 In all these situations the outcome of the A.I. investments played out different than planned, largely due to the unique capabilities of A.I. to learn, successfully or not, or support the decision-making and learning of its users.

Maxime Courtaux, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2022 In addition to on-site screenings for overdose risk, these elements include rapid clinical assessments and access to support services while participants are monitored for compliance by both behavioral health professionals and law enforcement.

Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2022 While Apple does not support cryptocurrency on its Wallet, this is far from being the first complaint about App Store policies.

José Adorno, BGR, 2 Dec. 2022 Kate has made the early years a key focus of her work for the past decade, convening and speaking with experts as well as carrying out multiple public and private visits to highlight and support this area.

Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 2 Dec. 2022 The county is making efforts to encourage and support young people and college students to pursue careers in the medical field, said Newman-White, of the county health board.

Olivia Mitchell, cleveland, 2 Dec. 2022 For more information or to donate and support the museum, visit santaclausmuseum.org.

Emma Quasny, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2022 Here are some important tips on prevention and living with it as well as how anyone can support those who have been diagnosed.

Essence, 1 Dec. 2022

Noun

Abigail and Daniel help two sisters being sued by their mother for parental support; Daniel considers leaving Svensson; Lucy grieves as her deceased mother’s birthday approaches.

Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2022 Stop by the Avon Senior Center, 36786 Detroit Road, for technology support with Dan White from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 and/or Jan. 11.

cleveland, 3 Dec. 2022 Will Smith — who is starring in the film, his first since his Oscars slap controversy — brought wife Jada Pinkett Smith and children Trey, 30, Jaden, 24, and Willow, 22, along for support.

Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2022 Hanson said many parents are accepting of their kids' identity are looking for support in an unfamiliar situation.

Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 1 Dec. 2022 And remember, your time will come someday to be the one looking for others’ support, so try to be supportive while you’re being confided in, my water bearers.

Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2022 Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb shared the update on Thursday's episode of the morning news show, relaying that Roker is grateful for all the support amid his recent blood clot complications.

Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 Dec. 2022 After 12 years of negotiations and a flight by Zhu to Washington to lobby the Clinton administration for support, China joined the WTO in 2001, cementing its position as a magnet for foreign investment.

Joe Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Nov. 2022 After 12 years of negotiations and a flight by Mr. Zhu to Washington to lobby the Clinton administration for support, China joined the WTO in 2001, cementing its position as a magnet for foreign investment.

Joe Mcdonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Nov. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of support was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/support. Accessed 8 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

support

1 of 2 verb

sup·port sə-ˈpō(ə)rt

-ˈpȯ(ə)rt

: to endure bravely or quietly : bear

: to promote the interests or cause of

: to uphold or defend as true or right : advocate

supports fair play

: to argue or vote for

support a candidate

: assist entry 1, help

bombers supported the ground troops

: to provide evidence for : verify

they cannot support the claim

: to pay the costs of : maintain

supports a large family

: to hold up or in position or serve as a foundation or prop for

posts support the porch roof

: to keep up the price of (as milk or wheat) by buying large amounts to store at a certain price

: to keep something going : sustain

not enough air to support life

supportable

-ə-bəl

adjective

supportive

-ˈpōrt-iv

-ˈpȯrt-

adjective

support

2 of 2 noun

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

: assistance provided by a company to users of its products

customer support

: someone or something that supports

Medical Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb

sup·port sə-ˈpō(ə)rt, -ˈpȯ(ə)rt

: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for

: to maintain in condition, action, or existence

support respiration

support life

support

2 of 2 noun

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

respiratory support

: supporter

Legal Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb

sup·port

: to promote the interests or cause of

: to uphold or defend as valid or right

: to argue or vote for

: to provide with substantiation or corroboration

support an alibi

: to provide with the means of livelihood (as housing, food, or clothing) especially in accordance with an agreement or court order

: to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of

the right to have one's land supported by the underlying land

support

2 of 2 noun

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

pledged the candidate their support

: a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood especially in the form of alimony or child support

: something that provides support