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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
While the agency has found bipartisan support for library services in Wisconsin, Miller said there are no clear promises about the future of IMLS. Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Her programs offer practical systems to help women stop recreating chaos in their lives and build safety through routine, consistency, and community support. Ginger Gentile, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
What’s more, the resistant starch and fiber found in potatoes might help support gut health, and therefore aid digestion, Gellerstedt adds. Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2025 Stamp had supporting roles in Legal Eagles (1986) and Wall Street (1988), then received critical praise for portraying a veteran English crook in the Steven Soderbergh crime drama The Limey (1999). Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for support
Recent Examples of Synonyms for support
Noun
  • Mascherano stressed that the club is looking only to add a few reinforcements and has not plans to trade away any players on the current roster.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The Browns will certainly keep potential reinforcements on both lines, at tight end and cornerback on the practice squad.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • More than 660 families from across the country have received financial assistance from the foundation, Sommer said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • For assistance evacuating large animals, in Santa Barbara County please contact the County Animal Services Disaster Hotline at 805-681-4332.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Among those who rejected the offer are the families of Tate Myre, an honors student, mentor to struggling kids and star athlete who died in the shooting; and of 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, a shy basketball and volleyball player, whose family has long advocated for the school’s accountability.
    Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Verónica Serrano described her father as a tireless fighter who came from a long line of lawyers who advocated for human rights and social justice.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Turn down heat in Dutch oven to medium-low to maintain a simmer; cover with a lid (leaving a crack for steam), and cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
    John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Regardless, the new system is easier to maintain because of its inherent design.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Since the war, officials have suggested Israel would sustain what would amount to an air occupation of Iran.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • At least two people sustained bites after dogs were reported to be running loose in the Mount Hope neighborhood Friday evening, San Diego police said.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The key questions to address with AI include are citizens more confident engaging with tribal services, does AI strengthen traditions, language, or practices, and does technology reinforce tribal governance authority?
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The military, which had previously ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for decades, sought to justify its takeover by alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which was won in a landslide by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Instead, it is used symbolically: to impress investors, manage employee morale, and justify corporate restructuring.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Starvation stalks Gaza According to figures from Gaza's Health Ministry, verified by the World Health Organisation, deaths from malnutrition and starvation are spiking.
    Dawoud Abu Alkas, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Passengers should bring a physical ID with them to the airport, such as a Real ID-compliant driver's license or a passport, in case their identity can't be verified.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/support. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on support

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