support 1 of 2

Definition of supportnext

support

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verb

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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

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
Camilla’s decision to wear the brooch—which is embellished with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds—is a subtle but strong show of support for her husband of over 20 years. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026 The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who had pushed the tax as a way to expand the city’s long-term housing inventory, had hoped the council would support his request to put the proposal before the voters in June. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026 Her fellowship is supported by the University of Texas at Dallas. Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • This becomes a form of intermittent reinforcement where unpredictable emotional rewards strengthen attachment even when nothing fundamentally changes.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Starting pitching should be a major strength for the Red Sox, as a staff of Garrett Crochet, Suarez, Gray, Brayan Bello and perhaps Johan Oviedo — another offseason addition — is the best on paper in the AL East, at least until the Yankees’ reinforcements return.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • During the speech, the mayor also announced 100 free watch parties during the World Cup throughout the city, $14 million in rental assistance for Angelenos and the relaunch of the city’s House Our Vets program, which helps veterans find stable housing.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Through the online application, eligible Californians can apply, while those who prefer in-person assistance can now drop by the new walk-in site for enrollment or document submission support.
    William Jones, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The organization advocates for bell-to-bell bans that require phones to be stored out of reach, saying stricter rules can improve student and teacher satisfaction.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Cooper also advocated for a change in federal law to speed up the funding distribution.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • China may also prefer to maintain a lower renminbi value compared with other currencies, in order to support its export-reliant economy.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Many of his contacts maintained relationships for years after his guilty plea.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The classroom where the fire happened was the only one to sustain fire damage, but other classrooms sustained minor damage, according to police.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Sakura Square can mirror the success of other cultural destinations, like Seattle’s Chinatown, where 76% of spending comes from non-residents, driving regional visitation and sustaining Downtown vibrancy.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • These tubes can also reinforce polymers or metals while maintaining conductivity.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
  • As Morrison pointed out, representations and practices can be mutually reinforcing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Howard, who had served as a second lieutenant with the Ninety‑Second Division, 366th Infantry in France during World War I, accused President Truman of using the Cold War to justify a sweeping peacetime expansion of America’s global military footprint.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • And yet Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claims that the agents were justified despite evidence so clear that it can be found unedited on YouTube.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But the numbers have been steadily climbing as a network of international nongovernmental organizations has worked to verify the scale of the crackdown.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Engineers continue to verify system readiness before allowing underwater testing to begin.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on support

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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