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support

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verb

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2
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

3
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
The researchers emphasized that policy support is crucial for accelerating this transition and building a robust recycling system. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025 Those who watched from the sidelines came out to show their support for veterans, family members who served, and some commemorated themselves as veterans. Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
The soft memory foam insole molds to the shape of your foot, so each step feels cushioned and supported. Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025 This license fee structure has supported a diverse array of programming for decades, but has also opened up the BBC to all sorts of criticism. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • Using deep reinforcement learning The new system uses deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to guide a robot, much like human hand-eye coordination.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Despite Pacheco being banged up, the Chiefs decided to stand pat at the deadline and not offer reinforcements for their star quarterback.
    Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Arkansas Department of Human Services has been following the federal Department of Agriculture’s recent guidance on SNAP, issuing partial benefits to 240,000 low-income Arkansans participating in the nutrition assistance program.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025
  • But there's still a lot in limbo, including pay for federal workers like air traffic controllers, SNAP food assistance and the potential for political blowback to put a possible deal in jeopardy.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • After the defeat, Barr co-founded the nonprofit Can’t Win Victory Fund to support other long-shot candidates and advocate against gerrymandering.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Manzano was one of the first Latinas on a national television show and has spent her career advocating for diversity on television.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Many chains are finding that fewer stores are better, and have been shutting down locations to maintain quality and brand congruence.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The scale of the Republican Party's triumph in 2024—taking the White House, flipping the Senate and maintaining control of the House—has sparked soul-searching within the Democratic Party over what went wrong, how to rebuild, and party leadership and direction.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As national headlines rightfully celebrated Parks’ courage and the charismatic leadership of King in fomenting and sustaining the boycott, Gilmore continued to cook in quiet obscurity.
    Time, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The same principles of careful selection, consistent maintenance, and thorough training that sustained his fleet now guide his thinking about financial systems and education.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The initiative is structured around three sequential and mutually reinforcing workstreams that aim to accelerate lowering emissions, boosting efficiency and building long-term resilience.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Critics also question whether demand will continue to grow at a fast enough pace to justify the investment.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Some investors are also skeptical whether future profit growth will continue to justify the enormous amounts of spending taking place.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Tested for real-world conditions Before shipboard testing, the team verified performance using a full-scale simulation facility measuring 25 by 5 by 5 meters.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Drivers should verify what’s excluded — particularly glass coverage, rental reimbursement, and uninsured-motorist protection.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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