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Definition of supportnext
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as in to maintain
to pay the living expenses of a young widow supporting a sick mother as well as two small children on a teacher's salary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for pillars supporting the bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to reinforce
to provide evidence or information for (as a claim or idea) studies that support the claim that red wine drinkers have a reduced risk of coronary disease and cancer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word support different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of support are advocate, back, champion, and uphold. While all these words mean "to favor actively one that meets opposition," support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

When could advocate be used to replace support?

While in some cases nearly identical to support, advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

Where would back be a reasonable alternative to support?

In some situations, the words back and support are roughly equivalent. However, back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

When can champion be used instead of support?

The words champion and support are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

When is it sensible to use uphold instead of support?

While the synonyms uphold and support are close in meaning, uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

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 support
Noun
In March 2024, hairline cracks began forming along the entire length of a support beam on the top floor. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 The more people who can show love and support for the kids by donating time, talent or supplies like this, the better, said Mike Jessen, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
The science did not support this view, but the market did, and so the messaging to and among parents gradually shifted. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 Relations and exchange programs between Russia and North Korea have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunitions and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • But when the margins are thin, the offensive reinforcements to supplement a young core are nonexistent, and the pressure is on, every mistake is costly.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Real-world robot dataset AGIBOT’s WORLD 2026 Theme 3 dataset initiative provides researchers with real-world robot experience data aimed at advancing reinforcement learning and embodied AI.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • More than half the population is estimated to need humanitarian assistance because of surging gang violence amid deepening poverty and hunger.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The organization provides resources, education and other assistance from the idea phase to scaling up phase, Swaney said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Drivers appear to largely be on board, and fans have responded as well, even though many advocated for eliminating the end-of-season spotlight entirely in favor of a Premier League-style yearlong title race.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • However, a contingent of pro-autonomous vehicle backers, many from a group of 29 organizations that advocated on behalf of Waymo to the CPUC, celebrated the expansion ruling.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • To many in the LGBTQ+ community, the notion of unconditional love might as well be a fairy tale; meaningful relationships must be worked for, maintained, and protected—and as such, are rarely taken for granted.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The bus tour is slated to stop in Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Georgia, and North Carolina — states seen as crucial for Republicans to maintain Senate control in November.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Though the intent is exciting, Arbeloa’s side have so far been unable to capitalise on their own opportunities to make their high-risk strategy look like something that can realistically be sustained.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Its systems target military spacecraft that need sustained electrical power and greater operational flexibility.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And by engaging with these powerful militaries, the group reinforced its self-image as a major regional player that was uniquely capable of liberating the Muslim world from corrupting American and Israeli influence.
    April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That experience reinforced for me that Florida needs a clearer, more consistent process for people seeking to regain rights after completing their sentences.
    José Javier Rodríguez, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On price hikes, analysts think that Apple needs to increase prices by as much as $100 in order to preserve profit margins and that the company's brand can justify this change in the eyes of customers.
    Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The latest proposal cites legal decisions and policies to justify the various changes.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Consider a fraud alert A fraud alert asks lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The recommendation also asks the board regulate agents for student-athletes, including by requiring a filing fee to register and be verified.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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