assist 1 of 2

noun

Definition of assistnext
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping with an assist from his dad, the youngster built a doghouse any canine would be proud to call home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

assist

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈsist How to pronounce assist (audio)
as in to aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end you can assist families in need by donating old clothes in good condition

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of assist
Noun
Thomas had 25 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Copper scored 27 and DeWanna Bonner added 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Mercury (11-18). — Staff, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 Atkins finished with five assists and Hamby had four, Burrell had three and Brink had two assists and six rebounds despite not scoring in the second half. — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Verb
The sound system has had recent upgrades, according to Ben Steinberg, who helped bring attention to the Cinerama Dome reopening and is assisting Pereira with marketing. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 29 July 2026 The state is now poised to assist drivers with the purchase of their first new or used electric vehicle, starting next month. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assist
  1. assistance
  2. aid
  3. help
  4. support
  5. boost
Noun
  • The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance to locate a 21-year-old man prosecutors allege held another man against his will at Smithville Lake.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is leading the death investigation with assistance from local, state and federal agencies.
    — Margaret Baker, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of assistance
Verb
  • One organization that has aided in her journey is the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, a Georgia nonprofit that supports students in need.
    — Nila Roper, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • Investigators are looking for information that could aid in an investigation into her death.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of aid
Noun
  • The new project, which is being developed with the help of Jackson’s son Marlon, is set to debut on BLK Prime.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Of immediate concern was getting enough help to remove the massive tarp after Saturday’s rain.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Furthermore, based on Warsh’s recent public comments, the task forces’ eventual findings could potentially provide support for an even more dovish agenda.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Now in the back half of summer break, the couple are calling for additional support to keep their program funded until the beginning of the school year.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Starting next year, the deal adds Peacock to YouTube Premium, the ad-free tier of YouTube's core product, a move Front Office Sports says could deliver a subscriber boost in the millions to the newly profitable streamer.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Someone already getting enough zinc from their diet is unlikely to see a boost.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of boost

Browse Nearby Words

assimilations
assist
assistance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assist. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on assist

Nglish: Translation of assist for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All