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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

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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
Volunteers who provide support and rapid response to workers before and after immigration raids were also in attendance. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 This time around wasn’t as strenuous thanks to some run support. Molly Keshin, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Verb
Your body naturally makes CoQ10, a vitamin-like antioxidant that supports energy production in your cells. Sarah Garone, Health, 20 July 2026 The Jewish community had supported the creation of a synagogue in part because of fears that Jewish inmates, who had previously prayed in the prison’s hospital, would be converted while inside. Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • The Phillies’ need for both starting and bullpen arms has been apparent in the second half of the season, and the team will be weighing its options for external reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • No matter how long Gomez is ruled out for, Liverpool need defensive reinforcements.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • The City Council, which is considering censuring the mayor, asked for assistance because the city’s Human Resources director wasn’t available at the time, according to Mayor Pro Tem Tara Graves.
    Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • International assistance has historically played a major role in supporting outbreak surveillance, laboratory capacity, healthcare worker training and emergency response in countries facing limited resources.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • The campaign, a joint effort with SEIU Doctors United, aims to advocate for improved working conditions, stronger patient care and better protections for academic freedom.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Star first baseman Bryce Harper has strongly advocated for aggressive trade deadline moves, suggesting the team acquire expensive veterans.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • As Chinese companies have rushed to develop AI models and hardware that can rival that of the US, the government has also carefully rolled out incremental measures to maintain social stability.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • As the merger moves forward, Carmack said that respect, to him, would look like allowing the schools to share resources but maintain their individuality.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Hudson was shot in the exchange with deputies but was wearing body armor and sustained minor wounds, said prosecutors.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • McDonald sustained the right elbow sprain during his outing on Monday against the Kansas City Royals.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • Audemard’s Caracas apartment building was constructed into bedrock, reinforcing it.
    Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Producing the film has reinforced her belief that festivals should serve as more than exhibition platforms.
    Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • There was contact across the Mexican’s face, but nowhere near enough to justify a red card for violent conduct.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The district attorney did not file charges against police in that incident, determining the officer was justified.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Clinicians who need to verify a treatment protocol or check a rare drug interaction have historically relied on a familiar set of tools.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • The primary technical objective of the upcoming experimental sequence is to verify nuclear fusion reactions inside the Texatron confinement hardware.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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