as in supportive
serving to give support to the truth or factualness of something
scientists looking for direct supporting evidence of microscopic black holes, the existence of which is theoretical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in advocating
to promote the interests or cause of
though childless themselves, they support the local schools both by volunteering and by fiercely opposing funding cuts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
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 sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
pillars supporting the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in reinforcing
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
5
as in defending
to continue to declare to be true or proper despite opposition or objections
we support the students' right to speak out on local issues that affect them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in verifying
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of
new evidence supports the original researchers' unexpected conclusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in assisting
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
sent reinforcements to support the troops deployed overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in tolerating
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
he simply cannot support the thought of having to go on living without his beloved wife at his side
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of supporting
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sure, that was exacerbated, and to some degree directly caused, by the ample non-supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The main cast is a bit too Hollywood to complement the movie’s outsider spirit (even if Wilde and Hoffman are fully on board with the Araki of it all), and — Wonders notwithstanding — the supporting players aren’t given much of a chance to compensate for that.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
The United Way’s state chapter is supporting a $600 credit that is fully refundable.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
The group and its rancher members reason that by eating buffalo meat, consumers are helping maintain herds on North American grasslands while supporting regenerative agriculture.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
In everyday life, this habit might look like encouraging a socially anxious partner to attend an event, supporting a career risk that triggers fear or asking a conflict-avoidant partner to speak more honestly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Return 5% of the one-cent sales tax Irving pays every year for five years, for the city to use on microtransit and other improvements supporting DART.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Why make a list, when the state could be supporting artists and organizations?
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The low-profile halo is designed to preserve the Lucid Gravity design while supporting advanced sensing.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Some went after Cashman, some after Boone, some after Steinbrenner’s son Hal, and some after Aaron Judge’s non-supporting cast.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sure, that was exacerbated, and to some degree directly caused, by the ample non-supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Uhlaender has even said that some Canadian athletes are privately supporting her in this battle.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The main cast is a bit too Hollywood to complement the movie’s outsider spirit (even if Wilde and Hoffman are fully on board with the Araki of it all), and — Wonders notwithstanding — the supporting players aren’t given much of a chance to compensate for that.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
The United Way’s state chapter is supporting a $600 credit that is fully refundable.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
The group and its rancher members reason that by eating buffalo meat, consumers are helping maintain herds on North American grasslands while supporting regenerative agriculture.
—The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
In everyday life, this habit might look like encouraging a socially anxious partner to attend an event, supporting a career risk that triggers fear or asking a conflict-avoidant partner to speak more honestly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Return 5% of the one-cent sales tax Irving pays every year for five years, for the city to use on microtransit and other improvements supporting DART.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Why make a list, when the state could be supporting artists and organizations?
—Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
The low-profile halo is designed to preserve the Lucid Gravity design while supporting advanced sensing.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supporting
Adjective
-
Kids ‘n Kinship provides friendships and positive role models to children and youth ages 5-16 who are in need of an additional supportive relationship with an adult.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The response was overwhelmingly supportive, which did surprise me a little.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her Nights unfold as a series of opinion pieces, with Shahrazad (and Winterson) as columnists advocating for social justice.—
Dan Sheehan,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Following her return home, Smart became involved in activism, advocating for the AMBER Alert System and supporting recovery programs.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Recycling nationwide is responsible for more than 680,000 jobs, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by keeping more than 190 million metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the air, according to the EPA.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Another arguably unnecessary but amazing addition are down pants, like the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown ($290), which have been a game changer for keeping me warm at camp and while sleeping.—
Kaelyn Lynch,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then the Nuggets expanded their lead without Gordon in the second half, riding a scoring wave from Julian Strawther and sustaining their stout defense.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The School Board remains committed to sustaining and scaling these successes.—
Mujahid Muhammad,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, the Dow Transports — comprised of 20 leading shipping, logistics, trucking, rail and airline companies — has set at least three all-time closing highs in January, reinforcing the rally that’s also carried the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average to several record closes this month.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is reinforcing growth in China’s EV market.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
China promotes cooperation while defending state control over data and AI deployment.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Valentine, Andrews’ ninth LP, offers a conditional yes—not by pining for anyone in particular, but by fiercely defending the right to pine.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Only Californians can use the tool, with the first step being verifying the user's residence.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Staying calm and verifying information at the source will go a long way.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Noem and Lewandowski plotted to promote two Border Patrol agents viewed as loyalists who would continue the flashy, sometimes questionable tactics CBP personnel have used while assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The firm is assisting Atapco with the rezoning request.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supporting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supporting. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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